Gabe Stark/Staff Photo
Students eating at the BSU Thanksgiving meal

Gabe Stark/Staff Photo
Students getting served Thanksgiving meal

Gabe Stark
The Trenton Telegraph

The holiday spirit was in Trenton last week as The Baptist Student Union (BSU) hosted its annual Thanksgiving meal, continuing a beloved tradition of over 15 years. This year, the event—now a lunch instead of a dinner—was well attended, with over 120 people served.

Christina Boatright the director of BSU, helps to make the event possible.

“I plan the menu about two months in advance and meet with church people that want to help serve or sponsor parts of the meal,” Boatright said. “I cook the meat the day before, then cut it up ready to serve the next day, as well as cooking pies the day before. All the side dishes are cooked fresh the day of, starting at 7 a.m.”

The meal is a collaborative effort between multiple local churches. Turkeys were bought for the event by a local church member, and desserts were sponsored by Faith Bible Baptist Church in Trenton, Mo, and volunteers from Meadeville Baptist Church, who made the stuffing this year.

The event, which took place on November 19, had the Association Office filled with college kids and community members who had heard about the event and chose to come for a warm plate of traditional Thanksgiving food with their friends and family.

“For me it’s my way and the BSU way of hugging campus—a way to show love to our campus students and staff and build community. Christina Boatright said. Our ultimate goal is to show the love of Jesus and give our students a place to talk about Him. It’s our mission here to Love Jesus, Love Others, and Love ourselves in such a way that lives are changed and communities are shown the light of God’s love.”