NASHUA – Students and officials at Rivier University hosted their annual ‘Sharing the Feast’ celebration on Tuesday, as hundreds of Thanksgiving baskets were distributed to area nonprofit agencies, which will help them meet the demands of their clients.

In total, 391 Thanksgiving bags, 260 turkeys and 66 gift cards were distributed. Some families received turkeys, while others received the gift cards. Each basket contains stuffing, brownie mix, gravy, cans of soup, cans of vegetables, corn bread mix, cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes. Additionally, students donated 14 boxes of non-perishable food to area food banks.

While some wonder how they will be able to cook each dish in time for family and friends arriving for a seat at the dinner table this Thanksgiving, others in the community wonder if they will be able to serve food at all. In recognizing the needs of these folks in the community, Rivier officials have hosted this event for more than 30 years.

“I think it is our call as a Catholic university to respond to the needs of our neighbors,” Director of Campus Ministry Anna Molettieri stated via email. “We need to be in touch with what is happening in the greater area and be able to lend a hand when we can. Our mission calls for us to transform hearts and minds to serve the world; this project is one way we can collaborate with one another to make the mission visible.”

In the month preceding Tuesday’s celebration, members of the university and local community raised more than $7,500 in donations. However, prior to distributing the food, tradition resulted in an interfaith Thanksgiving prayer service to give thanks and bless the food, volunteers, recipients and community.

“By our gathering today, Rivier students, faculty, and staff extend a welcome to Sunset Heights and to our community leaders who provide a powerful witness of direct service to our neighbors in need,” university President Sister Paula Marie Buley said. “Each of you are a reminder that faith and goodness find a natural extension in service.”

From there, donations were distributed by the school’s athletic teams to these area agencies who had representatives present for the event: Family Promise of Southern New Hampshire/Anne-Marie House, Corpus Christi Food Pantry, Greater Nashua Mental Health Center at Community Council, Healthy at Home, Keystone Hall, Nashua Oncology and Hematology, Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter, New Hampshire Catholic Charities, the Salvation Army, HIV/AIDS Task Force, Title One, New Fellowship Baptist Church Community Outreach Resource & Education Center Nashua and Xavier House.

Rivier collaborates with Sunset Heights Elementary School, as they have for decades, with their staff, students and their families contributing to project with food drive donations. They conduct a food drive and collect funds to purchase turkeys, and one representative per grade was sent to the Tuesday event.

Aside from the elementary school, donations also came in from residency halls, athletic teams, the Student Government Association and other individual students. Additionally, Rivier had roughly 75 first-year students help with the Thanksgiving bags.

Adam Urquhart may be contacted at 594-1206, or at aurquhart@nashuatelegraph.com.