As the school year has just begun, many organizations and clubs are looking to start fundraising. In years past Longwood-affiliated clubs and organizations have used Chick-fil-a and Moe’s Southwest Grill located under the Longwood Landings to fundraise not only for their organizations but also for causes. These events are typically called, "Spirit Nights."
Organizations can expect to see seven percent of the proceeds made at the location from the time of 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. to be raised for their organization.
From having problems particularly in the past year, Ashley Jones, the marketing assistant for Aramark, has enacted the proof of promotion and the proof of performance. Jones contacts the manager after an organization’s event to discuss how the organization performed.
The proof of promotion is required by organizations and clubs to email to Jones with a flyer, a Facebook group or even an email to existing members in the organization. Newly updated this year, Jones requires the proof of promotion to be sent to her via email a week within the proposal to fundraise has been submitted.
In addition to the proof of promotion, this year Jones has also added the proof of performance due to lack of enthusiasm in years past that was taken note by the restaurant’s manager. This also includes a photo emailed to Jones with an image displaying the scene that the organization has set up whether that be about the cause the organization is raising funds for or about their organization in general. The proof of promotion must be emailed to Jones within 48 hours of the spirit night in order to remain on good terms with Aramark for future spirit nights.
“(The proof of promotion is in place to make sure organizations are) not just relying on returning and existing customers for the funds,” said Jones.
Jones adds that in most cases the rule of only allowing each organization to host one night a semester is due to lack of availability for space throughout the semester. After fall break, Jones reevaluates the unoccupied dates and then sends out an email to the most successful organizations, which are defined by “willingness to perform,” asking if they would like to host another event to raise funds.
“If there was a group that didn’t support it (the fundraiser), we didn’t let them do it again because there were to so many other groups that were supporting it,” said Director of Food Service Grant Avent.
Avent adds that Aramark has never turned away an organization after one spirit night that hasn’t been successful. Avent adds that possibility if the trend keeps occurring then the organization may have difficulty receiving acceptance on submitting their request.
“If an organization screws up one time, they wouldn’t be eliminated because students turn over in those organizations,” said Avent.
When Chick-fil-a and Moe’s Southwest Grill originally opened in 2009, Chick-fil-a was the only location where students were allowed to fundraise, but the phenomenon was so popular that Moe’s Southwest Grill was then added to the list of locations in addition to the P.O.D. market as well. Jones adds that most students choose to fundraise at Chick-fil-a and Moe’s Southwest Grill over the P.O.D. market.
“There was such a demand; that’s why only once a semester because that was all there was room for,” said Avent.
Avent recalls the idea originating from seeing the Chick-fil-a in Richmond allowing fundraising and thought the idea would be nice to bring to Longwood.
“As soon as we started doing it, they were booked completely,” said Avent.
Since the fundraising idea came to Farmville, Virginia, other local businesses such as Burger King, Sweet Frogs and Buffalo Wild Wings to name a few have also started allowing for students to fundraise at their locations.
“(It) gives them (other restaurants outside of Aramark) a way to give back and have students to have other fundraisers,” said Avent.
The same process of organizations and clubs submitting a request to fundraise has remained the same as when the idea was established at Longwood University.
In the summer months when students do not have as much of a presence in Farmville, Virginia Aramark allows for other local organizations non-Longwood affiliated to fundraise at the locations. These groups are under the same rules and requirement that the students have when fundraising since the restaurants are owned by Aramark. Some of these groups in the past have been church groups, SPCA and Prince Edward County High School.
“Our (Aramark’s) priority is the students,” added Jones.
For an organization to submit a request, the organization must visit longwood.campusdish.com to find the fundraising tab. The available dates start on Aug. 29, 2016.
