It is a time for love and giving with the holiday season approaching, and the Black Student Association at the University of Memphis has taken it upon themselves to feed dozens of families on Thanksgiving.
For the second consecutive year, the association has partnered with Abundance Grace Ministries, in Collierville, to organize the “Feed A Family” food drive. Students, faculty and staff are invited to donate food and other cooking supplies at the multicultural affairs area of the University Center, room 212, through Nov. 18.
The church’s pastor, Brian Graves, is heavily involved with the drive. He sends the BSA a list of food items to fill up baskets and for every filled basket, the church will match the donation with a turkey.
Jeremiah Macklin, Community Service Chair of the Black Student Association, says they are on track to double the number of families fed this year. He hopes “Feed A Family” will be a staple event at the BSA for years to come.
“It was something I started last year with my other co-chair, but it is something that I would love to keep going,” Macklin said. “When I make events for community service, I kind of have a vision of it being reoccurring and happening annually.”
Yamekia Fair, a member of the BSA, has been doing her part by collecting the donations at the University Center.
“It feels good to be able to help someone who can’t afford to feed their family,” Fair said. “I was quite surprised because I didn’t think we would get so many donations and how many people were able to bring stuff to fill the baskets.”
Jeremiah Macklin, the community service chair for the Black Student Association, is hoping the tradition will continue long after he graduates.
