The Campus Kitchen at Wake Forest University is preparing for its annual TurkeyPalooza event, which will begin on Sunday, Nov. 16. This student-led initiative aims to provide Thanksgiving meals to people in need across Forsyth County, with a goal of serving more than 600 individuals this year.
Student volunteers will be cooking meals throughout the week and delivering them from Monday through Saturday to several local organizations. These partners include Samaritan Ministries, Hope to Thrive, Azalea Terrace, FaithHealth NC, and DEAC Clinic.
This year’s TurkeyPalooza comes at a time when demand for food assistance has grown due to an interruption in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in North Carolina following a federal government shutdown. As a result, two partner organizations have asked for twice their usual number of meals.
“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 typically relies on donated food from Harvest Table Culinary Group throughout the year. For TurkeyPalooza, however, all meals are made from scratch using ingredients bought specifically for the event. Students hope to raise $4,000 through crowdfunding efforts to cover expenses.
Sustainably grown garlic and squash from Wake Forest’s Campus Garden will be used in this year’s roasted vegetable stuffing recipe. Additionally, each meal will feature green bean casserole prepared with homemade sauce instead of canned mushroom soup.
TurkeyPalooza is now in its 19th year at Wake Forest University and coincides with national Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week as part of ongoing efforts by Campus Kitchen to address food insecurity locally.
“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 related to TurkeyPalooza are available during cooking shifts between Nov. 16-20 at the Campus Kitchen facility.
