Counting blessings, countering need

A free family-style Thanksgiving dinner was served to 620 students Monday night − the equivalent of three full seatings in the Keystone Dining Room! − and an earlier “Soup for the Soul” benefit helped ensure that such bounty could be shared by those struggling with food insecurity. Sponsored by the Student Engagement Task Force and served by a cross-section of campus employees, the traditional dinner with all the fixin’s was delayed from Thursday due to last week’s storm. CC Commons was the site for the Nov. 14 event, at which the first 50 registrants received a meal of chicken tortilla or cheddar broccoli soup served in handcrafted bowls made by Penn College ceramic students. Part of the college’s Homelessness and Hunger Awareness Week, both activities featured donations of cash and canned goods to The Cupboard, the college’s food pantry. Institutional Advancement added to the week of gratitude with its “Thank a Donor” and “One Tray at a Time” initiatives.

− Photos by Cindy Davis Meixel, writer/photo editor,
and Rachel A. Eirmann, student photographer

A pre-dinner group photo of the shiny, happy cooks and waiters

Expressing their gratitude for joys like “family & friends” and “tractors & big bucks” are (from left) construction management students Michael R. Casciola, of State College; Jared T. Hileman, of Hollidaysburg; and Domenick M. Berarducci, of West Newton. At a display created by Community Peer Educators, students could write what they’re thankful for on hand-shaped cutouts (some resembling turkeys) as they waited in the KDR lobby.

Rounding up arresting desserts, Penn College Police Chief Chris E. Miller reports for duty at the fifth annual Thanksgiving dinner for students.

A festive table awaits!

Service with a smile: Gayle M. Kielwein, student activities accounting assistant, delivers comfort food to thankful guests.

“Breaking bread” with friends gets a thumbs-up …

… and a selfie to commemorate the occasion, taken by Ashlee D. Robins (at right in photo), a pre-occupational therapy assistant student from Milton.

Dining Services manager Vicki K. Killian helps a patron faced with an unenviable challenge: Which bowl to choose?

Unique bowls, made by ceramics students and instructors David A. and Deborah L. Stabley, sparked a rush of registrations for the event.

The menu included crusty baquettes, perfect for dunking.

Becky J. Shaner, senior manager of donor relations and special events, aids the cause. Sixty-two people were served lunch, which – when coupled with a related raffle – raised $554 for the food pantry.