(SWEETWATER, TEXAS) – “We are making memories we have of Thanksgiving for others.”
That is how Kati Bewley, the Advocacy and Resource Center lead for Texas State Technical College in West Texas, described the spirit behind assembling Thanksgiving meal kits for students. This year, the Culinary Arts instructors helped out by preparing one ready-to-heat side dish.
This year, 25 students across TSTC’s West Texas campuses will receive a full holiday meal kit that can be prepared at their home. Each box includes a turkey, dressing, cranberries, corn, green beans, macaroni and cheese, pumpkin pie, rolls, sparkling juice, sweet potatoes and an aluminum pan.
Culinary Arts instructors Lyanna Cintron and Nathan Sheasby prepared a potato casserole for the students and their family.
“The reason I started cooking is for the people,” Sheasby said. “It was nice to provide for the students and their families who may need some help.”
Bewley said the collaboration with the Culinary Arts program is something she values.
“It was great that we were able to collaborate with the Culinary Arts team,” she said. “They bring food to our pantry each week. The students are always checking to see what was made by their fellow students.”
Raham “Rock” White, a Building Construction student in Sweetwater, was among those receiving a kit this year.
“My mom said she was not going to make the big Thanksgiving dinner this year,” he said. “When I learned about the meal kit, I knew I wanted to apply. This is a way of helping my mom and enjoying a Thanksgiving meal.”
Bewley said that staff members at H-E-B in Abilene stepped up in a big way after watching her team shop last year.
“This year, they did all the shopping for us and had everything boxed up,” she said. “It was a true curbside pickup for us. I cannot say enough about the team at H-E-B. They are true supporters of TSTC.”
The Advocacy and Resource Center budgets for the kits each year, and Bewley said the demand continues to grow.
“We are seeing more students take advantage of the program,” she said. “I appreciate the work our students do in the classroom, and this is one way we can say thank you to them.”
Registration for the spring semester is underway. To learn more, visit tstc.edu.