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While a large percentage of Ohio State students went home for Thanksgiving, there were plenty who decided to—or were unable to—make it back. Thus, a group of students and faculty volunteers have decided to do something special: host their own Thanksgiving dinner.
In its 26th year, the free event was hosted this afternoon in the Ohio Union. Guests arrive in two shifts (11:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.) and are broken into four sections, with a team of volunteers split evenly among each group. With the use of this system, everyone receives a meal within 45 minutes.
According to the official event webpage, The Ohio State University’s Thanksgiving Dinner began 26 years ago as a gathering of 25 students in the Frank W. Hale, Jr. Black Cultural Center. It was initiated by two graduate students (Bill Batson and Lori Waite) who did not have a place to go for the traditional Thanksgiving meal.
The dinner now hosts mainly out-of-state or international students, who are unable to go home for the few days of the holiday due to logistical struggles or other reasons. Approximately 1,200 students attended the events today. The event also honors and hosts those who work on campus over the holiday period, including campus police.
The meal itself features very traditional Thanksgiving foods, including 650 pounds of turkey, 30 gallons of gravy, 432 pounds each of green beans and corn, 320 pounds of corn bread and 2,000 slices of pie.
Approximately 200 volunteers assisted in the preparation and carrying out of the event.
For more information on the Ohio State University's annual Thanksgiving dinner feast, click here.
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