Each year, Loyola students have a chance to participate in a number of service programs designed to make the holiday season a bit brighter for area families who are materially disadvantaged.

Thanksgiving Food Drive:

Throughout the month of November, Loyola’s Center for Community Service and Justice coordinates a food drive benefiting the CARES Food Pantry in the Govans neighborhood just east of Loyola’s campus. Canned goods and other non-perishable food items are collected, and turkeys are purchased from nearby grocery stores.  Students can donate non-perishables or make monetary donations by cash, check or Evergreen card. Students can also show their support for the drive by volunteering to promote it in the residence halls and across campus, or by helping to deliver donations to the food pantry before Thanksgiving Break.

Presence for Christmas:

For nearly 15 years, Loyola’s sophomore class and the Center for Community Service and Justice have co-sponsored “Presence for Christmas,” a program that supports approximately 75 families and more than 300 individual children each holiday season. Loyola departments, clubs and individual community members provide gifts, food baskets and other items to the children and families. All of the beneficiaries of this program are referred by community partners and programs with which Loyola volunteers work throughout the year. The program culminates in early December at Loyola’s traditional “Festival of Lessons and Carols” chorale event.