Michelle Schraudner
Life Editor
Raising money for an area Make-A-Wish patient and providing funding for student outreach programs are the goals of the 21st Annual Spaghetti Feed, Raffle and Auction.
Hosted each year by ISUs College of Pharmacy students, the Spaghetti Feed is listed as number 18 of 101 things to do in Pocatello, according to the “Idaho State Journal.”
This year’s Spaghetti Feed is Friday, Feb. 28, in the Pond Student Union Ballroom. The event will begin at 6 p.m. Tickets cost $5 per person or $25 per family.
James Lufkin, one of the event’s chairs, said funds are raised though four means: ticket sales, the silent auction, the live auction and corporate sponsors.
At least 25 percent of the funds raised are dedicated to making that year’s Make-A-Wish patient’s wish come true. Lufkin said the pharmacy students usually aim to fully fund the patient’s wish, as is the case this year.
Children participating in the Make-A-Wish program often wish for exciting trips or the chance to meet a celebrity. This year, the Spaghetti Feed will benefit a patient with a unique wish.
Yadira, an 18 year old living in Idaho Falls, wants help paying for her college tuition.
She was diagnosed with leukemia as a child. Her disease is in remission.
Because she is not terminally ill, Yadira wants to make the most of her life by getting a college education at Idaho State University. She began taking classes at the Idaho Falls campus this semester, said Lufkin.
The other portion of proceeds from the Spaghetti Feed will go toward funding pharmacy student outreach programs. These programs and accompanying materials aren’t funded by students’ tuition, so the need for the annual fundraiser is high.
Programs funded include Operation Rx, which aims to end the abuse of prescription medications.
Operation Meth Awareness is another, in which pharmacy students visit local middle schools and high schools to tell students about the dangers of using methamphetamine.
As a part of Operation Diabetes, pharmacy students conduct glucose screenings and warn the public of the dangers of diabetes. These screening materials are some of the items funded by the Spaghetti Feed’s proceeds.
The other outreach programs are Operation Immunization, Operation Heart, Poison Prevention and Operation Self-Care.
Lufkin said around 600 people usually attend the annual fundraiser. Attendees, he said, are a mix of ISU community members and local residents. Pharmacy students, who plan and organize the entire event, attend as well.
