Hendricks Chapel officials are hoping to collect more donations this year for an annual Thanksgiving dinner drive that will help disadvantaged families in the Syracuse area share a Thanksgiving meal. 

‘We’ve made it easier to donate in hopes that we will be able to help more people and expand the drive,’ said Erica Monnin, graduate assistant in Hendricks’ Office of Engagement Programs, which is sponsoring the drive. ‘Last year we helped 17 families, and this year we’re hoping to reach out to at least 30. So far we’ve received several gift cards and more than 300 cans.’

The drive will end Wednesday, and the food boxes will be donated to local community organizations in Syracuse, such as the Huntington Family Center. 

‘We will also be making cards for families to accompany the food bags,’ Monnin said. ‘We are providing pizza and music and hope to make it a large event so people will get involved with the drive.’

Hendricks has held the drive for many years as a way to provide an opportunity to reach out to the community, Monnin said. 

Most of the organizations receiving the donations are referrals from the chaplains at Hendricks, said Syeisha Byrd, director of the Office of Engagement Programs. 

‘Hunger has been an issue for many years here in the Syracuse community and all over the world,’ she said.

A packaging party for students will be held the final day of the drive Wednesday from noon to 3 p.m. in the Noble Room of Hendricks. Students are encouraged to stop by in between classes and during their breaks to help put together boxes of meals for families. 

Items can be dropped off in the Office of Engagement Programs or in the collection box in the Noble Room, located in the lower level of Hendricks. Items were also collected at Syracuse University volleyball games on Friday and Sunday. Gift cards for the purchase of turkey can also be brought to the Office of Engagement Programs or the Hendricks Chapel Dean’s Office. 

rstorm@syr.edu

Published on November 14, 2010 at 12:00 pm