For more than 25 years, students and alumni have come together annually to help provide a Thanksgiving meal for 50 families.

This year the theme of giving back is just as important as it has been in years past. “We try to be a good neighbor here in Austin,” Administrative Secretary for Campus Ministry Medina Bills said. “Our Strategic Plan has engagement with the Austin Community as one of its four [pillars].”

Campus ministry seeks to create reflective environments for students to grapple with the causes and challenges of hunger and homelessness through a week-long engagement effort with students, which concludes with a single, collective day of service.

“It is important to our educational mission that students are given opportunities like this to be of service, but also to reflect on the causes of hunger and homelessness,” Bills said.  

Campus ministry offers students the opportunity to evaluate the meaning of the experience and understand their emotional responses to it. “We want students to confront the critical issues of our day,” Bills said.
The names of the families receiving the meals are provided by St. Ignatius Martyr Food Pantry, which is, “dedicated to providing a variety of services for the needy; both residents as well as homeless individuals.”

There are a number of way students can contribute. If you are part of a student organization, office and/or department, you can sponsor a family together. There are three different levels of sponsorship: Harvest Giver, Cornucopia Giver, and Feast Giver. Contributions can be as small as canned goods to full-sized turkeys. You can also volunteer by being a helper or driver.

Important Dates:
Nov. 13-17 Donation boxes will be placed around campus
Friday, Nov. 17 Donate all non-perishables and perishables by
Sunday, Nov. 19 Frozen turkey donations and meals deliveries on at 11:30.. am.

• Volunteers and Drivers needed from 10 a.m. to Noon