Circle K is the world’s largest student-led service organization. This organization is located at many universities and is grouped into state districts as well as smaller divisions within the state. Within the Pennsylvania district, Liberty Division covers all of the university Circle Ks in the Philadelphia area. This group of community service organizations decided that they wanted to make a difference to the homeless in their community and contribute by allowing a greater population to enjoy this holiday season. Although due to Covid-19 restrictions the members were not able to come together to create basket meals, they decided to collect funds that they could send to one person who would then put together the food items. Hetal Lad, the Liberty Division lieutenant governor, was the coordinator for this event and was able to successfully pool together the money collected to make the Thanksgiving Gobble Baskets.
This bingo board was used on Instagram stories to raise funds.
The schools that participated in Thanksgiving Gobble Baskets included Alvernia Circle K, University of the Sciences, and Drexel University. All of these schools fundraised about $100 each bringing the grand total of funds raised to $315. This was enough money to feed about 8 families for Thanksgiving. Their dollar was stretched as much as possible with the given Thanksgiving sales to provide the most amount of food possible to families in West and South Philadelphia. After the baskets were put together, they were donated to individual families that had requested one. The remaining foods were donated to Philabundance, a member of Feeding America which is a network of food banks fighting hunger in the United States.
Families were excited to receive their Thanksgiving groceries delivered directly to them.
Each Thanksgiving Gobble Basket contains mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, corn, green beans, turkey gravy, stuffing, rice, turkey or ham, and sweet potato or pumpkin pie. These packages were slightly personalized by allowing families to choose what type of Thanksgiving meat and pie they wanted. An important part of this event was to allow homeless and underserved families to enjoy this Thanksgiving. This directly combats inequality due to limited resources and improves the mental health of the families that were helped. Holidays can be very stressful for the breadwinners of the family as they may have to sacrifice spending money on what they may need to allow their family to have a good Thanksgiving. Many parents do not want their children knowing that their family can’t afford a Turkey and traditional Thanksgiving foods. However, with college students taking this concern upon themselves, reaching out to their friends and family for donations, food can be taken care of without any sacrifices. Mental health is important. No matter how much money you have, you deserve to enjoy a stress-free holiday.
The Thanksgiving Gobble Baskets were delivered to families in West and South Philadelphia or sent to Philabundance.
Regardless of financial income, healthcare is important whether it be visiting a doctor or staying happy. Mental health is often overlooked but Liberty Division Circle K college students took it upon themselves to make the underserved mental health their priority. They look forward to making more impacts amongst the homeless, contributing to mental health in ways that don’t get the attention it deserves.