University of Scranton students prepare Thanksgiving meals for families in need

Newswatch 16’s Valeria Quiñones spoke with Friends of the Poor about their decades-old holiday tradition.

SCRANTON, Pa. — Dozens of University of Scranton students gave up their Sunday to volunteer at the Friends of the Poor and Catherine McAuley Center along E. Elm St in Scranton. The kind act comes as part of Friends of the Poor’s 49th annual Thanksgiving community program.

Students help pack Thanksgiving meals to feed 150 families across the city of Scranton, specifically, families that reside in the Hilltop and Valley View housing developments. 

“Because it is so far on the edge of Scranton, and it’s not very accessible, those families can’t get to us, so for about 25 years we’ve been trying to make sure that they get the things that they need for Thanksgiving and that we’re bringing it to them,” says Meghan Loftus, President & CEO of Friends of the Poor and Catherine Mcauley Center.

Loftus says because those housing developments were built on the outskirts of the city, most bus routes make it hard for residents to get downtown. “It takes a lot of different stops and a long time, and it may not be possible for a family to take that much time to get here.”

Students pack entire turkeys, milk, eggs, vegetables, desserts, and other foods that make up a classic Thanksgiving feast to ensure every family gets what they need for a warm meal on Thanksgiving Day.

Matthew Millevoi is a University of Scranton student with the Center for Services and Social Justice. He is no stranger to volunteering in the community. “Nobody is getting paid to be here. It’s simply out of the bottom of their hearts, so it’s really cool that we can get this many people to come and help the community.”

“I just really enjoy Thanksgiving with my family, so being able to do this for other families is really important to me,” says Imani Hornedo, a sophomore at the University of Scranton. 

“We don’t realize how many people are in need stuff, and I think just getting together, whether we’re with the University of Scranton or in the community, I think it’s just important to give back to those who can’t afford much or go out and get stuff that they need,” says Meghan Mcdonell, Senior at University of Scranton. 

A small act of service making a big difference for families in the Electric City this Thanksgiving.