Student develops food-based charity program

Tuesday, November 10, 2009 - 1:46 AM

Mike Polasko, a 20-year-old honors bilochemistry student, developed the “Donate a Swipe” program. Photo Courtesty of Mike Polasko.

When Matt Polasko freed up time in his schedule, he could have spent it watching TV or surfing the Internet. Instead, he organized a food swipe donation program to support a family shelter.

Polasko, a 20-year-old biochemistry major, spends part of his Wednesday evenings asking students in the Downunder Cafe to donate extra meal plan swipes.

“I wanted to do something more with my time,” Polasko said. “Even if it means missing game six of the World Series.”

For each donated swipe, $2.51 is put into an account for Volunteers of America’s Family Shelter in downtown Reno. The shelter can then use the account to purchase food through Chartwells, the DC’s foodservice company.

Polasko said he worked with DC managers to make the program a reality and to work out the minor details.

Polasko admitted that $2.51 didn’t sound like much, but said all the swipes add up.

The program raised more than $2,600 in seven weeks and donations have averaged 130 swipes in the past few weeks, he said.

“I’d be happy if we averaged about 100 swipes per week,” Polasko said.

Still, he hopes donations will continue to exceed expectations. He would like to raise $400 per week with about 160 swipe donations.

The Family Shelter, which has 21 units and 108 beds, provides families with at least one hot meal per week.

“I grew up with warm meals,” Polasko said. “I can’t imagine what it would be like without them.”

The families have a microwave and a small fridge in their room. Families usually eat frozen dinners because that is all they can make in their rooms, he said

“I’ve seen bigger refrigerators in the dorms,” Polasko said.

Polasko came up with the idea because of his experiences his freshman year. That year he had the platinum meal plan and did not use all of his swipes. Every Wednesday, he used his extra swipes to get snacks from the DC.

“You can only get so much candy and water before you don’t need any more,” he said.

Polasko, now a junior, worked alone on the project for the first few weeks. But he was later joined by six other Honors Program students.

Donations are accepted at the entrance of the DC all week, but most are donated on Wednesday. Polasko and the other volunteers take shifts asking for donations.

“I hope to expand to other universities,” Polasko said.

Right now he is focusing on recruiting freshmen to continue the program after he graduates.

Polasko said he hopes to raise $4,000 by the end of the semester.

Anthony Sodenkamp can be reached at news@nevadasagebrush.com.