THANKSGIVING OUTREACH: Turkey Drive
Save the Date: Monday, Nov. 23, 2026
Our Thanksgiving Outreach program is a great opportunity for Villanova faculty, staff, students and alumni to give back to our outstanding community partner organizations.
Starting in October, members of the Villanova community are invited to consider pledging donations of complete Thanksgiving Meal Boxes. Then, on the Monday of Thanksgiving week, Villanova community members are asked to drop off their pledged donation boxes at the Connelly Circle so that the boxes can be packed up in Villanova vans and delivered to our community partners.
In addition to Meal Boxes, we also collect ShopRite gift cards in increments of $25 and $50, which are donated to some of our community partners. This allows families receiving the gift cards to purchase their own items for their holiday meal.
Staff/academic departments, student groups, sororities/fraternities, athletic teams, and/or friend groups team up to pledge an amount of boxes or gift cards that feels manageable for them. Individuals are also invited to pledge in the same way.
Volunteer Needs
- On-call Shoppers: Assist with last minute shopping needs the week before Thanksgiving
- Delivery Teams: Assist with the deliveries of meal boxes to our community partners
- Collection Assistants: Assist during the collection morning to keep the day running smoothly
Meal Box and Gift Card Donation Information
Gift Cards
This year, we are hoping to provide $75 gift cards to 205 families at Project HOME, Strawberry Mansion Neighbordhood Action Center, and Stenton Park Rec Center. We are collecting gift cards in $25 and $50 increments.
Meal Boxes
250 complete Meal Boxes are needed to support individuals and families at North Light Community Center.
Each meal box needs to be carefully assembled:
- Please begin with a reusable grocery bag or sturdy box and then fill it with:
- 2 jars of turkey gravy
- 2 jars of apple sauce
- 4 cans of seasonal vegetables (a variety)
- 2 cans of cranberry sauce
- 3 or 5 lb bag of potatoes (not canned)
- 2 boxes of stuffing
- Pack of dinner rolls (placed on top)
- Please also supply:
- A 10-15 lb turkey (placed in a separate bag)
- A fresh, non-frozen pie (placed in a separate bag)
- A giant aluminum roasting pan for the turkey (a new addition to our meal boxes this year!)
In addition to turkeys, we are also in need of frozen chickens so our Community Partners can provide options to the families. If you would rather supply a chicken instead of a turkey, please be encouraged to do so.
OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS
- North Light Community Center
- Strawberry Mansion NAC
- Project HOME
- Stenton Park Recreation Center
If you are interested in supporting any of these efforts or would like to learn more, please reach out to givingoutreach@villanova.edu.
