Rivier University Donates 560 Thanksgiving Baskets for Local Families
Rivier University’s annual Sharing the Feast project distributed 560 Thanksgiving food baskets to feed more than 3,000 Greater Nashua residents in need.
In the month preceding the November 20 event, members of the Rivier University and local community raised more than $7,000 in donations to prepare the baskets. Participants packed and gathered the food baskets for presentation in the Dion Center Reception Room. Keeping with tradition, an interfaith Thanksgiving Prayer Service was held to give thanks and bless the food, volunteers, recipients, and community. The baskets were distributed to area agencies whose representatives attended the service.
“By our gathering today, Rivier students, faculty and staff welcome our community partners who provide a powerful witness of direct service to our neighbors in need,” said Sister Paula Marie Buley, IHM, Rivier’s President. “Each of you are a reminder that faith and goodness finds a natural extension in service, and as a nation we aspire to liberty and justice for all.”
In addition to Sister Paula and University administrators, Rivier students offered words of thanksgiving and prayer during the service. A community partner in this project, Sunset Heights Elementary School students and staff were in attendance; they have generously contributed to this project for the past 29 years with food drive donations.
Thirteen Nashua-area agencies attended the service, after which the food baskets were loaded into their waiting vehicles by Rivier student-athletes.
Partnering agencies for 2018 include Anne-Marie House, Corpus Christi Food Pantry, Greater Nashua Mental Health Center at Community Council, Healthy at Home, Keystone Hall, Nashua Oncology and Hematology, Nashua Soup Kitchen, New Hampshire Catholic Charities, the Salvation Army, HIV/AIDS Task Force, Title One, New Fellowship Baptist Church C.O.R.E. (Community Outreach Resource & Education Center) Nashua, and Xavier House.
“Rivier students really turn out for this community event,” says Alicia Leap ‘19, President of Rivier’s Student Government Association. “Most students embrace service as a part of their personal mission, as well as the University’s mission. We’re grateful for this opportunity to help others.”