UNC Asheville and its dining services partner, Chartwells Higher Education, collaborated with nonprofit organization Food Connection to bring students festive activities such as pumpkin painting, a gratitude wall, free swag and a fall feast menu.
“Many students can’t travel home for Thanksgiving, so this event helps bring that warm, family-style feeling right here to UNC Asheville,” said Allie Lemings, the marketing manager with Charwells Dining on campus.
Stepping into Brown Hall’s dining room, I was encapsulated with the sight of festivities, smiling faces and the smell of thanksgiving. Right away I found a table where students were painting local pumpkins with a wide range of colorful markers, along with a table providing free gadgets including waterbottles, chapsticks and reusable bags.
Also at the entrance was the Food Connections table, where students could learn more about their on-going partnership with UNCA, their mission and opportunities to volunteer.
“UNCA has donated over 45,000 pounds of food to Food Connection for us to send out to the community” said Lindsey Davis, who helps as program support for Food Connection. “A volunteer comes to UNCA to the kitchen once a week and picks up whatever you have to donate to us.”
According to Davis, students can sign up to help volunteer through the Food Connection’s website. Volunteers can sign up for morning shift or night shift, as well as opportunities to help out on Saturdays for food distribution.
“We would love to have some student volunteers from UNCA to come out and hangout with us,” said Davis. “Volunteering either to pack meals or to go distribute food is just so fun.”
The volunteers who signed up during the event will be helping Dec. 3 alongside student Joan Geiss, the marketing intern for the Brown Dining Hall.
“Student involvement strengthens the partnership between UNC Asheville Dining and Food Connection and it empowers students to make meaningful contributions beyond campus,” said Lemings.
I waited in line with other eager students scooping all the ingredients into our cups, mixing it all together, waiting anxiously for it to cook in the microwave. Providing not only a yummy treat but education on treats college students are able to make inside their dorms.
Walking out of Brown Hall, I stop at the thankful board to leaf what I am grateful for. Not only am I grateful for the love I have for our UNCA community but also for learning what ways I can help give back to my community.
“I hope students leave feeling cared for, connected and inspired. Whether it’s learning about Food Connection, contributing to the food drive or simply enjoying it with friends, we want this event to remind them that they’re part of a supportive campus community that values gratitude and giving back,” said Lemings.
