NAIT culinary students prepare 60 turkeys for Boyle Street Thanksgiving dinner
Early Friday morning, NAIT students began work on the annual partnership that will serve 500 to 700 vulnerable Edmontonians at the Alberta Aviation Museum.
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Preparation began early Friday morning, October 9, as NAIT culinary arts students worked on 60 turkeys and 110 loaves of bread for stuffing destined for Boyle Street Community Services' annual Thanksgiving dinner.
Mark Payoyo, a NAIT culinary arts student, felt the physical toll of the work. "My shoulder is really sore. I think I've probably sautéed like four bags, four full bags probably," Payoyo said. Riley MacInnis, another culinary arts student, acknowledged the intensity: "It can be chaotic. You know there's a lot to learn."
NAIT has partnered with Boyle Street Community Services for 24 years. Erin Howe, the NAIT culinary arts instructor who leads the annual program, was herself a cooking student over 21 years ago when the initiative began. "I think students get to see just how much value there is in the skills that they're learning that they can do something to create a really cool moment and that little bit of gratitude and a good meal for some families in need," Howe said.
The need has grown significantly this year. Karen Gill, communications manager of Boyle Street Community Services, said the organization is expecting to serve 500 to 700 meals—up considerably from previous years. "The need is growing this year. We had to change our venue. We're now going to be at the aviation museum because the need is so great," Gill said.
Students will return to NAIT on Sunday morning, Thanksgiving day, to finish preparation before the dinner service. Both Payoyo and MacInnis expressed genuine commitment to the work. MacInnis said, "I've always loved volunteering my entire life ever since all through high school. I volunteered a lot as well." Payoyo added, "It makes my heart—it just makes me happy to be able to do that."
The facts
How many turkeys are NAIT students preparing?
NAIT culinary arts students are preparing 60 turkeys for Boyle Street Community Services' annual Thanksgiving dinner.
How many people is Boyle Street expecting to serve?
Boyle Street Community Services is expecting to serve 500 to 700 vulnerable Edmontonians at the Alberta Aviation Museum.
How long has NAIT partnered with Boyle Street?
NAIT has partnered with Boyle Street Community Services for 24 years.
Where will the Thanksgiving dinner take place?
The dinner will be held at the Alberta Aviation Museum, a new venue chosen because the expected number of guests has grown significantly.
