Community members are invited to help provide a traditional turkey-day dinner to Barton Community College students who can’t go home on Wednesday, Nov. 25, said Marcia Dietz from Barton’s Student Support Services.
When the Barton campus closes for the Thanksgiving holiday on Nov. 25, dozens of students will remain on campus. These include international students and those who live in other states. Over the break, the dining services will be closed, although student housing does have shared kitchens and most students have refrigerators.
This year, Student Support Services employees plan to serve them a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings, Dietz said. “It’s for all students that don’t have anywhere to go.”
Student Support Services helps students that are first generation, Pell grant eligible, and disability students. The office’s six employees raised money for this undertaking by selling Mitchell’s Bakery doughnuts, but more is needed. Dietz said they expect between 50 and 75 students will attend the dinner. Donations of food or money are welcome. Contact Dietz by email at Dietzm@bartonccc.edu or call 620-792-9240.
Students who plan to attend are asked to contact Dietz by Nov. 19, and that is also the day she would like to hear from anyone who wants to help.
Dietz and her coworkers will cook the meal in a kitchen on campus and serve it in the Technical Building. Some members of Volunteers In Action/RSVP have offered to bake pies. Area students wanting to perform community service are also invited to help.