EMU Today

MEDIA ADVISORY

*Interview and B-roll opportunities available

1,000 community members to be fed meals through “Thankful For You” event hosted by Eastern Michigan University, Hundley Foundation and Chartwells Higher Education at Eastern

WHO: Eastern Michigan University, Hundley Foundation, Chartwells Higher Education student volunteers, former EMU football player Samuel Estes, EMU President James Smith and his wife Connie Ruhl-Smith, members of EMU athletics and volunteers 

WHAT: A two-part event that offers meals to the local community and EMU campus. 

WHEN/WHERE:  The event is slated for Wednesday, Nov. 16, from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Lunch meals will be distributed off-campus from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Then guests and the EMU community are invited for a Thanksgiving-themed dinner from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Community members must have a voucher.

WHY: To feed 1,000 community members this holiday season

BACKGROUND:  “Thankful For You” is an event in honor of the campus community and surrounding areas to promote a sense of togetherness and thankfulness during this season of giving. 

The event starts with a meal delivery to community members. Meals include healthy salads and Thanksgiving staples like brown sugar glazed ham, classic dressing stuffing, and cranberry relish. After, guests and the campus community can enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving feast at The Commons, featuring a holiday-cooking demo, raffles, canned food drive, and more. Community participants must have a voucher to attend.

Lunch meals will be distributed off-campus from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. to the following organizations:

***B-roll/interview opp: At 11:30 a.m. EMU President James Smith and his wife Connie Ruhl-Smith, EMU athletes and volunteers will deliver meals to older adults living in Towne Centre Place, located at 401 W. Michigan Ave., in Ypsilanti. The director of Meals on Wheels will do a quick overview before meal delivery. Media invited to attend.

Family Empowerment Program – five drop-off locations, including “meet and eat” opportunities with residents and special guests.

Ypsilanti Senior Center

The Commons 

For more information, please contact EMU Director of Media Relations Melissa Thrasher at mthrashe@emich.edu or visit Thankful For You Event Information. 

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 14,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University’s rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.