Trystyn Miller
Life Editor
As Halloween season comes to a close, a new and maybe more exciting season begins: Thanksgiving. As most of us know, this holiday is dedicated to family, friends, and food. With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, I couldn’t help but wonder: Do all college students celebrate the same way I do? Moreover, do college students have the means to celebrate?
There is no doubt that many students here at ISU simply do not have the funds to cook an extravagant Thanksgiving dinner; thankfully, there are other resources and strategies that students can take advantage of.
Located on campus is an amazing program called Benny’s Pantry. Benny’s is located in the Pond Student Union building in room 120A. Within Benny’s, you can find nutritious food options as well as other personal care items. ISU students, faculty, and even dual-enrolled students are eligible to collect materials at Benny’s. The official website states, “Participants must sign the Acceptance of Free Food Waiver during their first visit to Benny’s Pantry. A valid Bengal ID card is required for every visit, which will be used to track the number of visits to the pantry each month (generally limited to twice per month). Food and personal care items are distributed based on household size.”
Another unfortunate aspect of the holiday season is that many students may be unable to return home to see their families. Whether it is due to high travel expenses or insufficient time because of commitment to school sports or other extracurricular activities, it is not always possible for students to return home. A cheap and fun option for students is “Friendsgiving.” Yes, it is precisely what it sounds like – a Thanksgiving dinner with your friends. One of the benefits of Friendsgiving is the sense of community it creates within a friend group. There is no doubt that many students do not want to spend the holidays alone, so participating in a Friendsgiving will allow the student to engage with people they love despite being away from home. Another benefit is that it is cost-effective. By getting a group together, students can all share the load and chip in for groceries.
Friendsgiving is not an unheard-of event. In fact, multiple students have celebrated it in the past. An anonymous student stated, “I had a Friendsgiving last year, and it was such a fun night. Everyone brought a dish, and some of us even cooked together. Really, it was just a night filled with fun, and I will definitely be making it a tradition every holiday season.”
So, if you are suffering financially this semester or you are upset you can’t travel back home for the holiday, consider using ISU’s resources to help you navigate this season. Lean on your friends; it truly makes a difference.
If you are interested in learning more about Benny’s Pantry, see their website here: https://www.isu.edu/pantry/.
