Every year, Campus Ministry reaches out to the Saint Anselm community to create Thanksgiving baskets, which are then distributed by Catholic Charities and the Greater Manchester AIDS Project to individual families.

Each basket is expected to feed about five to eight people, roughly enough for a small family.

Baskets consist of traditional Thanksgiving food such as turkey, stuffing, vegetables and other food items, and some even include such reusable items as tablecloths and cloth napkins.

This program first began in 2002, when Sister Pauline Cucier, a sister of Holy Cross and a Campus Minister at Saint Anselm College, decided to create a campus-wide outreach charity event during Thanksgiving.

Sister Cucier passed away of cancer in 2009, but Campus Ministry continues to host the program in her memory and honor.

It also serves to reiterate the mission and values Saint Anselm College is commonly associated with, especially during the holiday season.

“It’s all a labor of love that epitomizes Benedictine hospitality,” said Joycelin Raho, Assitant Director of Campus Ministry.

“The response each year is amazing,” Raho continued. “Every year, Campus Ministry receives more baskets than originally asked for.”

Saint Anselm students, faculty and staff assemble about one hundred to one hundred fifty baskets, with many participants tending to work with their clubs and sports teams as a joint effort to contribute more baskets.

This year, Campus Ministry anticipates around one hundred fifteen baskets will be donated, supporting many struggling families.

On Monday, November 24 at ten o’clock in the morning, there will be a twenty-minute blessing of the baskets at the Abbey Church before they are brought to downtown Manchester for distribution to the individual families.

Raho adds that anyone who is interested in attending is welcome.