TurkeyPalooza tackles increased demand this holiday
Annual student-led event cooks up Thanksgiving meals for those in need around Winston-Salem
With community partners ramping up for an increased need for Thanksgiving meals this season, the Campus Kitchen at Wake Forest University kicks off its annual TurkeyPalooza on Sunday, Nov. 16.
The goal of this annual tradition: Prepare a Thanksgiving feast for those in need in Forsyth County—more than 600, at last count. Student volunteers will cook meals during shifts all week. Additional volunteers will deliver the meals Monday-Saturday to community partners including Samaritan Ministries, Hope to Thrive, Azalea Terrace, FaithHealth NC and DEAC Clinic.
With Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits interrupted in North Carolina because of the federal government shutdown, this year’s TurkeyPalooza crew is ready to help fill an even greater need.
In recent days, two Campus Kitchen partners have requested double their normal number of meals for TurkeyPalooza.
“We are always in communication with our partners about their changing needs,” said Anna Donze, assistant director of community engagement in Wake Forest’s Office of Civic and Community Engagement and staff advisor to Campus Kitchen. “The holidays in general can be a stressful time, and families having limited or uncertain access to SNAP benefits can add additional stress. We’re being mindful of that and trying to stay in contact with our partners so we can help.”
Campus Kitchen provides meals to its partners throughout the year, relying on food donations from Harvest Table Culinary Group on campus. But for TurkeyPalooza, all meals are scratch-made, with ingredients purchased specifically for the event. Students aim to raise $4,000 through crowdfunding to cover the costs.
This year’s meals also will feature garlic and squash grown sustainably in Wake Forest’s Campus Garden. Both ingredients will appear in the roasted vegetable stuffing the Campus Kitchen crew makes every year. Each meal will include green bean casserole—but this year’s student chefs will make a homemade sauce instead of using canned mushroom soup.
This is the 19th year for TurkeyPalooza at Wake Forest. It is part of national Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week, and it is Campus Kitchen’s effort to help fight food insecurity in the Winston-Salem area.
“We we are keeping increased community needs in mind,” Donze said. “And we are always open to requests for more meals from our community partners.”
Video and interview opportunities for Turkeypalooza are available Sunday, Nov. 16-Thursday, Nov. 20, during cooking shifts in the Campus Kitchen.
Categories: Community Impact, Pro Humanitate
Media Contact
Alicia Roberts
media@wfu.edu
336.758.5237
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