Campus Kitchen at W&L Hosts Annual Turkeypalooza The community is encouraged to participate and donate to support Campus Kitchen’s programming, which kicks off Nov. 10.

By Emily Innes
November 1, 2024

The Campus Kitchen at Washington and Lee University (CKWL) presents its annual Turkeypalooza: A Family Table Gathering Event on Nov. 10-12. CKWL hosts several unique events during this series, including holiday meals at partner organizations, a Pumpkin “Pie”ve-K 5K run/walk fundraiser and the annual Indigenous Community Meal.

“Like many folks around the country, the Thanksgiving season and holiday is my favorite time of year,” said Ryan Brink, assistant director of the Shepherd Program and CKWL coordinator. “The opportunity to spend time and share a meal with family provides a wonderful opportunity to connect with our communities and give thanks for what we have. This season also provides a stark reminder that with rising food and housing costs, many families in our area can struggle with food insecurity. At Campus Kitchen, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to provide a warm and dignified holiday meal for their household. Each year we provide groceries and holiday gift cards to nearly 130 families in our area, as well as serve over 250 Thanksgiving-themed meals through our community partnerships.”

Kicking off this year’s Turkeypalooza is the Pumpkin “Pie”ve-K 5K run/walk fundraiser at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 10. The race will begin at the university’s Outing Club Pavilion (159 W. Denny Cir.), and participants can register online for the event. The $5 registration fee supports the Campus Kitchen Mobile Food Pantry and its efforts to alleviate food insecurity this holiday season. Every participant will receive a slice of pumpkin pie. CKWL will also be tabling in Elrod Commons the week of Nov. 4 to accept registrations and donations.

Turkeypalooza festivities will continue with the 4th annual Indigenous Community Meal at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12, in Evans Dining Hall. Co-sponsored by the Native American Student Organization and the Native American and Indigenous Cohort, the evening will feature discussions surrounding the influence of indigenous wisdom and foodways, the impact of the modern Thanksgiving narrative and a meal incorporating indigenous recipes and ingredients. Register for the Indigenous Community Meal.

Throughout the week of Thanksgiving, CKWL will prepare and deliver Thanksgiving meals to its community partners throughout Lexington and Rockbridge County. Donations to support Campus Kitchen’s continued efforts can be made online.

“Turkeypalooza is an important opportunity for Campus Kitchen to raise funds and awareness to support our Mobile Food Pantry program, which makes a positive impact on the lives of our neighbors during Thanksgiving and throughout the year,” Brink said. “Plus, you can watch professors Colin Reid and Jon Eastwood race in turkey costumes at our annual Pumpkin ‘Pie’ve-K! What could be better?”

The mission of The Campus Kitchen at Washington and Lee is to use service as a way to strengthen bodies, empower minds and build communities through food. Campus Kitchen combats hunger and promotes nutrition by recovering and reusing food that would otherwise go to waste into balanced meals for low-income community members in Rockbridge County.