For Madeline Smith’s senior project, she chose to host a pot-luck “Friendsgiving” to share with the different cultures represented on campus.

On the morning of Nov. 3 in the Hoblit Suite, Smith’s pot-luck Friendsgiving will commence the holiday season. From 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., people from across campus will share their favorite dishes with each other.

Photo via Unsplash.

“The Friendsgiving Brunch is going to be centered around creating connections, sharing culture and taking a moment to recognize all of the things that we’re grateful for,” said senior Madeline Smith, a sociology and organizational and leadership communication double major.

Smith’s inspiration for this event came from her love of making and sharing food with people.

“I find that it’s hard to walk away from a pot-luck without having made a few friends and laughed a few times,” she said. “This one will be even more special through some ethnic dishes that will be present.”

Smith hopes people will take this opportunity to try new things and expand their palate. “Aside from creating connections, this brunch will help people open their minds to what breakfast looks like around the world while introducing international students to a classic American holiday,” she said.

She has noticed that gatherings around the world are centered around food, and decided to use that as a way to connect students on campus.

“Sharing food, especially in a setting where people can bring something that is special to them, allows people to get to know one another on a deeper level, while forming a greater sense of appreciation for the backgrounds of others,” Smith said.

Smith also wants to recognize everything she and other people have to be grateful for through this event. “I do my best to recognize all of the things in my life that I’m grateful for, and I want to help others do the same — a season centered around giving and gratitude seems like the perfect time to ease people into this,” Smith explained.

Her brunch is more than just food and gratuities: during the Friendsgiving, there will be an opportunity to turn actions into words.

“We will have a craft station where people can create their own mini-gratitude journals that they can write in everyday for a year to help them get into the habit of thinking of the positive,” she said.

To attend the Friendsgiving brunch, bring a dish from your culture or make a $5 donation in the Hoblit Suite of the Panhellenic building on Nov. 3 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. More information is available on the “Friendsgiving Brunch” Facebook page.

Written by Kelli Volonte.