NAIT staff and students team up with Boyle Street Community Services to provide Thanksgiving dinner

Published on October 09, 2020

EDMONTON – A team of NAIT Culinary and Professional Meat Cutting and Merchandising staff and a handful of student volunteers are leading the preparations for the Boyle Street Community Services’ annual Thanksgiving dinner. 

The preparations, which are traditionally led by students belonging to NAIT’s Club Culinaire, saw a shift this year as student clubs are limited to online activities due to COVID-19. NAIT Culinary staff, led by department chair Paul Campbell, eagerly volunteered to fill the gap and prepare the meals that are expected to feed 400 people.  

Further impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have seen many similar kitchens across Edmonton closed, making NAIT the only location where the meals can be safely prepared for this year’s dinner.

This year’s meal includes 60 turkeys, 17 cases of potatoes, 180 kilograms of vegetables, 100 litres of gravy, and 100 loaves of bread for stuffing, which were prepared over three days. The final meals will be warmed up in NAIT’s kitchens and picked up by Boyle Street Community Services on Sunday, October 11 at 9 a.m.  

NAIT KITCHEN PHOTO OPPORTUNITY AND INTERVIEW 

Where:  NAIT Main Campus (11762 106 St. N, Edmonton, AB)  
                    Lab O122G - Building O at Main Campus (map)  
                    Use South Lobby entrance off 106 ave. 
                    Parking available in T  or D lots
                    Entrance to Lab 0122G is to the right of Common Market
                    in Building O
When:  Sunday, October 11 from 8 - 9 a.m.
 Who:    Paul Campbell, Program Chair  
                   Department of Culinary Arts & Professional Food Studies

IMPORTANT COVID-19 SAFETY INFORMATION FOR MEDIA:  

The health and safety of the NAIT community and visitors are our top priorities. Masks must be worn in any indoor spaces and where appropriate physical distancing cannot be achieved. Please read the Coming to Campus information for visitors before arriving at NAIT.  

Quotes

“Supporting the Boyle Street Thanksgiving dinner is something our NAIT staff and students have eagerly participated in for a number of years, and it was important for us to carry on this tradition, especially during these challenging times. We’re honoured to once again oversee the preparations of a hearty, warm meal in the safety of our kitchens for those experiencing homelessness and poverty.”

-  Paul Campbell, Program Chair, Department of Culinary Arts & Professional Food Studies, NAIT 

"We want to thank NAIT's culinary program for donating their time to prepare our Thanksgiving meal. It is because of their generosity that our community members get to enjoy a delicious meal this holiday."

- Sarah Dowling, Ambassador Engagement Coordinator for Boyle Street Community Services

About NAIT

The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) is a leading Canadian polytechnic, delivering education in science, technology and the environment; business; health and skilled trades. With over 34,000 credit and non-credit students and a 98 per cent employer satisfaction rate, NAIT grads help fuel the economic engine of the province. NAIT also contributes to Alberta's prosperity by helping businesses and communities become more competitive through industry-driven research and corporate training. Recognized as one of Alberta's top employers, NAIT provides outstanding returns on investment for its graduates, industry partners, the provincial government and the people of Alberta.

Media inquiries

Nicole Graham
NAIT Media Relations
C 780.916.8307 E media@nait.ca