Tomorrow: Eastern's 'Day of Giving' to feed hundreds of community members
University's 19th annual Thanksgiving community meal
Willimantic, CT (11/25/2025) — Eastern Connecticut State University will host its 19th annual "Day of Giving" on Nov. 26 at Hurley Dining Hall from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., providing a traditional Thanksgiving dinner to an expected 500 local residents who might not otherwise be able to enjoy a traditional holiday meal.
Members of the media are welcome to cover this event.
"The Day of Giving is a powerful tradition at Eastern because it reflects the way our community cares for one another and for our neighbors in Windham," said Eastern President Karim Ismaili. "The needs in our area are real and ongoing, and this day is an important reminder of how much we can accomplish when we come together. I'm proud that our students and staff continue to lead this event, and that their service to the community extends well beyond this single day. We look forward to welcoming members of the Windham community to campus tomorrow."
Food for the Day of Giving is donated from the University, Eastern Eats, Sysco Connecticut, Sardilli Produce, Sun Roasters Coffee, Duva Distributors, and Dawson Florist.
More than 75 students, faculty, and staff will serve at the event, as well as volunteers from Horizons, a developmental disabilities program in South Windham.
The menu will include traditional Thanksgiving fare, including roasted turkey breast, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, green beans and carrots, tossed salad, cranberry sauce, pies, cookies, and brownies.
University-provided transportation will depart from Ashton Towers at 10:45 a.m., Father Honan Terrace at 11:10 a.m., and Covenant Soup Kitchen at 11:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
###
Eastern Connecticut State University is the state of Connecticut's public liberal arts university, serving upwards of 4,000 students annually on its Willimantic campus. A residential campus offering 41 majors and 68 minors, Eastern offers students a strong liberal arts foundation grounded in a variety of applied learning opportunities. Ranked among the top 25 public institutions in the North by U.S. News & World Report in its 2025-26 Best Colleges ratings, Eastern has also been awarded 'Green Campus' status by the Princeton Review 15 years in a row. For more information, visit www.easternct.edu.
Eastern Connecticut State University
Michael Rouleau, (860) 465-0172, rouleaum@easternct.edu; universityrelations@easternct.eduShare this Story
Recent News
- Theatre: Eastern presents 'The Burial at Thebes,' based on Sophacles' classic tragedy
- Media Advisory: Eastern's 'Day of Giving' returns on Nov. 26
- For immediate release: Eastern holds first land acknowledgement ceremony
- Eastern launches new cybersecurity minor
- 'Spanish for Business': Community celebration to recognize student work with local businesses
- 'Spanish for Business': Community celebration to recognize student work with local businesses
- Wednesday: Eastern to recognize region's tribal lands with official land-acknowledgement statement
- Eastern to host land-acknowledgement ceremony in honor of Native American Heritage Month
- Eastern concludes first 'Small Business Academy' for local entrepreneurs
- Eastern holds annual Veterans Day ceremony