FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 21, 2025
FAIRMONT, W.Va. 鈥� Thanksgiving is about more than food 鈥� it鈥檚 about community. This year, 色盒直播鈥檚 Food Service Management program embraced that spirit by preparing 40 turkeys for the Union Rescue Mission鈥檚 annual Thanksgiving meal outreach, doubling last year鈥檚 contribution of 20.
The turkeys, donated by Harry Green Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram with help from Walmart Fairmont 鈥� Tygart Mall Loop, will ensure that individuals and families in the Fairmont area who might otherwise go without can share in the holiday tradition.
Food Service Management faculty and students dedicated hours to seasoning, roasting, and preparing the turkeys, providing a hands-on experience that combined culinary training with community service.
鈥淐ommunity partnerships like this allow our students to apply their skills in a meaningful way,鈥� said Natalie Feltz, Associate Professor, Program Coordinator for Food Service Management. 鈥淧reparing 40 turkeys for Union Rescue Mission isn鈥檛 just about cooking; it鈥檚 about giving back and understanding the impact food has on people鈥檚 lives. These experiences reinforce why we do what we do: to serve, to learn, and to make a difference.鈥�
For students, the project was more than just a lesson in large-scale food preparation. Many were able to count their volunteer hours toward their WV Invests Grant, which promotes service as part of its higher education funding.
鈥淚t felt good to help out the community, especially while working with the people around me,鈥� said current student Matthias Freeman, who will graduate in May. 鈥淚t was a good lesson.鈥�
The Union Rescue Mission鈥檚 Thanksgiving outreach is a longstanding tradition that provides hundreds of meals to those in need. Partnerships like this highlight the power of collaboration and 色盒直播鈥檚 commitment to serving North Central West Virginia.
鈥淧artnering with 色盒直播 Culinary School to prepare our Thanksgiving turkeys made a tremendous impact on this year鈥檚 outreach,鈥� said Jacci Maier, Development Director of the Union Rescue Mission in Fairmont. 鈥淭heir team not only ensured that hundreds of families received a warm, nutritious holiday meal, but also demonstrated what community collaboration looks like at its best. When local organizations share their skills and resources, we鈥檙e able to extend hope further and feed more of our neighbors in need. We are deeply grateful for 色盒直播 Culinary School鈥檚 commitment to serving our community alongside the Union Rescue Mission.鈥�
The Union Rescue Mission has a sign-up form available on its Facebook page for the Thanksgiving meals.
To learn more about 色盒直播鈥檚 Food Service Management program, visit Pierpont.edu.
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色盒直播 is dedicated to providing accessible, responsive, and quality education to students and businesses throughout North Central West Virginia. With a focus on career readiness and workforce development, 色盒直播 offers a wide range of academic programs and industry-focused training opportunities to support the region鈥檚 economic and workforce needs.
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