Annual TurkeyPalooza Food Drive Supports St. Louis Community with Thanksgiving Meals
St. Louis, MO—November 25, 2025—The recent TurkeyPalooza event, organized by Campus Kitchen at Saint Louis University (SLU), successfully prepared and delivered 200 individual Thanksgiving meals and 40 meal-prep boxes to families within the St. Louis community. This annual food drive, which has become an essential fixture in the university’s outreach efforts, underscores the growing commitment to combat food insecurity during the holiday season.
TurkeyPalooza, a component of SLU’s broader mission to address food justice, was spearheaded by student volunteers dedicated to making a tangible impact on local communities. From November 17 to 20, donations were collected at Reinert Hall, with volunteers mobilizing over the weekend of November 22-23 to assemble the meals. The distribution of these meals took place on November 24, ensuring that families were well-provided for during Thanksgiving.
The event saw significant participation from SLU students, faculty, and staff. Co-presidents of Campus Kitchen, Kailah Crafford and Path Patel, expressed heartfelt gratitude towards community members for their generous contributions. “Thank you to all students, faculty, and staff who volunteered and donated food to make this event possible,” Crafford remarked, emphasizing the collaborative spirit that fuels such initiatives.
Campus Kitchen has been a vital player in addressing food security challenges since its inception in 2001. By repurposing food that might otherwise contribute to waste, the organization not only helps to decrease the environmental impact but also provides essential meals to individuals in need. This mission is particularly relevant as food insecurity remains a pressing issue, affecting numerous families across the nation.
In addition to preparing meals, Campus Kitchen extends its efforts by distributing excess fresh produce to various nonprofit organizations, further enhancing their community impact. Currently, the organization supports around 600 individuals weekly, serving men, women, children, and seniors in various living situations, including those in local shelters and transitional housing.
Events like TurkeyPalooza showcase the power of community engagement and demonstrate how student-led initiatives can lead to meaningful changes. As more institutions of higher education adopt similar programs, the collective fight against food poverty could yield significant benefits across numerous communities, reinforcing the importance of collaboration and social responsibility.
