On Tuesday, November 12 the Student Government Association and Graduate Student Government hosted the annual FoodBank Luncheon in Cougar’s Den of the Miron Student Center. From 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. students, faculty, and staff were welcomed to enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving meal provided by Gourmet Dining and enter a raffle. Proceeds collected from the ticket sales were donated to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. The event also encouraged attendees to donate items for the Cougar Pantry such as cereal, water bottles, dried fruit, body wash, lotion, and shampoo.
Renee Helfenstein, AVP Events Marketing and Communications of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey detailed the significant role the event has in helping those in need.
“The annual FoodBank Luncheon is so important to Community FoodBank of New Jersey. We’re so grateful for Kean University’s support in ensuring our neighbors in need have a meal on their table for everyday and especially during the Holiday season,” shared Helfenstein.
“Every dollar that is donated allows us to purchase three meals for neighbors in need. So, thank you to Kean for one bringing us in to educate all these people who come and enjoy the luncheon and two for the fundraising and engagement throughout the community as well as coming in and volunteering because I know Kean is a very active volunteer group as well.”
Danna Rosas, a senior and Cellular and Molecular Biology major from Dunellen stated that she attends the Thanksgiving luncheon annually.
“I do it every year, since I’ve been a freshman. The food is great. It was a tradition. Me and my friends used to come before they graduated.”
The luncheon featured foods like corn bread, pumpkin pie, oven roasted vegetables, turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes.
Samantha Martinez, a sophomore and Psychology major from Ecuador shared her excitement for her first Thanksgiving at Kean.
“I received an invitation by email, and I was really interested. This is my first Thanksgiving here so that’s another reason why I’m here like to live the experience and know how it is, taste the food and everything.”
While people ate their meals, they were able to win prizes from the raffle like Kean branded hoodies, book bags, and umbrellas.
The annual FoodBank Luncheon is an event that engages the Kean community in the selfless act of giving back. The Kean Community came together and sold 167 tickets which raised $1,310 for the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. The FoodBank Luncheon serves as another way Kean University contributes to social impact for a positive change in our environment.
