Rivier U. Students Donate Thanksgiving Meals To 13 Local Nonprofits

NASHUA, NH — Rivier University's annual Sharing the Feast Project raised more than $10,000 in donations, helping to provide Thanksgiving Meals for 500 local families, the school has announced.

Members of Rivier athletic teams, first-year students, the Campus Ministry Club, the Student Government Association and the Sunset Heights Elementary School community participated in the fundraising event.

The meals were donated to 13 Nashua-area agencies including: Catholic Charities of New Hampshire, Corpus Christi Food Panty, HIV Services at Harbor Care, Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter, and the Salvation Army.

"The need (for donations) is greater this year given the higher costs for food, gas, and utilities," Rivier President Sister Paula Marie Buley said. "Members of the community responded generously, surpassing last year's donation total by 15 percent. It's a privilege to help our neighbors in need."

People who helped raise funds for the Sharing the Feast Project and representatives from the participating nonprofits attended Rivier's annual interfaith Thanksgiving Prayer Service on Nov. 17, where attendees gave thanks and blessed the food, according to organizers.

After the service, Rivier students and staff carried the donated food bags to the nonprofits' waiting trucks and vans.

Students and administrators from Sunset Heights Elementary School were among those who attended the Thanksgiving Prayer Breakfast.

The school has participated in the Sharing the Feast Project for over 30 years. Every year, the school holds a food drive and the PTO raises money to donate turkeys to the project.

Other nonprofits receiving donations during this year's Sharing the Feast were: Ascentria Care Alliance, Cynthia Day Family Services, Family Promise of Southern New Hampshire, Foundation Oncology and Hematology, Healthy at Home, New Fellowship Baptist Church Community Outreach Resource and Education Center Nashua, Title One and Xavier House.