COVID-19 continues to impact and impair holiday plans for many people in the United States trying to celebrate with family members. 

In support of University of the Pacific students remaining on campus for Thanksgiving break, the university’s dining services provider, Bon Appétit will provide one complementary prepacked turkey dinner including pumpkin pie to any student with a meal plan who goes to the Marketplace for lunch on Wednesday, Nov. 25.

"Bon Appetit recognizes this is a challenging time for students and they are extending this generous offer in support of Pacific students for Thanksgiving," said Joe Berthiaume, Pacific's executive director of residential life, housing and dining auxiliary. "Residential Life and Housing is very appreciative of Bon Appétit for the ongoing support and good work they provide in support of our students."

For the last 18 years, Student Life, Residential Life and Housing, and Bon Appétit have delivered an in-person Thanksgiving experience to Pacific students who cannot make it home for the holiday or have never had a Thanksgiving meal before. However, due to COVID-19 modifications that need to be made, students will be able to take the turkey dinner to their campus apartment and cook the meal on Thanksgiving Day.

"Traditionally, students would be home with their families for Thanksgiving and I feel it’s important for some kind of tradition to carry on for those who cannot return home," said Sia Mohsenzadegan, resident district manager for Bon Appétit at Pacific. "I’m fortunate to have Thanksgiving dinner with my family and I want to extend that feeling to those who can’t be with theirs."

Currently, there are a little over 150 students living on the Stockton Campus for the fall semester.