Turkeypalooza Event Making a Difference for Local Families | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's note: The author of this post, Kelly Setzer, is a contributor to ECU News Services.

    The Campus Kitchen at East Carolina University is making a difference for local families at Thanksgiving.

    Since 2013, Campus Kitchen has sponsored Turkeypalooza to provide a traditional Thanksgiving meal for area families.


The Campus Kitchen at East Carolina University is making a difference for local families in need of a Thanksgiving meal. (Photos by Cliff Hollis)

    In total, 26 departments, schools, colleges or organizations on campus provided donations for 40 families. Sponsorship included $25 for a turkey as well as creating a box of meal supplies, including stuffing, gravy, vegetables and dessert items.

    "Our goal is to help 40 families have a Thanksgiving meal this year, and the families were chosen with the help of our community partners," said Lekisha Pittman, event manager for Turkeypalooza.

    The community partners for this year's Turkeypalooza include Operation Sunshine, the Little Willie Center, the JOY Soup Kitchen and the Ronald McDonald House of Eastern N.C.

    "The ECU Campus Kitchen selected 20 Little Willie Center families to provide for this Thanksgiving," said Melissa L. Arrington, program volunteer coordinator for the Little Willie Center. "The need for this project is extremely great. Recently, Hurricane Matthew affected our state, leaving many families displaced from their homes. Now, everyone is seeking help to get back on their feet. This is a blessing and a great start."

    Nationwide, the Campus Kitchen Project includes more than 55 high school and college campuses that participate in Turkeypalooza each year. ECU's group will deliver meals this week, while other campuses will host a meal on Thanksgiving Day.