Supporting Our Beloved Ms. Kathy

As of early March, the University of Virginia’s dining hall employees were abruptly dismissed and discharged of their employment by Aramark. Kathy  McGruder, known to her UVa family as Ms. Kathy, was one of the many dining employees who were brusquely laid off, without severance or a formal rehiring timeline. Ms. Kathy came to work every-day with a contagious smile and genuine compassion for every student she interacted with – but what she is remembered for most were her actions that she was not paid for.  Ms. Kathy was reliable, dependable, proactive, and an open ear to all students.  She wasn’t just an employee, she was our confidant. 

While the university assured the community it would “honor all existing commitments” to full- and part-time employees, it made no promises to its more than 800 contracted employees, like those in the dining hall and custodial services. In fact, since UVa announced its closure shortly before workers were scheduled to return from spring break (during which most dining hall workers are not paid), some workers have not received a paycheck since February. However, climbing bills and uncertain futures are just some of the issues facing UVA’s Aramark employees after they were told that they were laid off.  The job market is extremely uncertain and there is not a plethora of hiring opportunities for people that have been recently laid off.  Please help and donate to Ms. Kathy so that we can help her in a fraction of the way that she has helped all of us.

I am one of many UVA students (c'o 2016, The College), that met Ms. Kathy in the dining halls and has held a relationship with her ever since. All funds will go directly to Ms. Kathy - our plan is to write her a check for the total amount of funds and deliver it to her in Charlottesville, VA.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions / comments / concerns!