The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) and the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) embodied the spirit of giving this Thanksgiving, distributing more than 1,600 turkeys to families across West Baltimore on Nov. 25. The annual effort, organized by UMB’s Staff Senate, the UMB Office of Community and Civic Engagement (OCCE), UMB Police and Public Safety, UMMC, and WJZ-TV, reflects the institutions’ ongoing commitment to supporting their neighbors and strengthening community well-being.
“The Season of Giving Thanksgiving Drive is about being neighborly,” explained Brian C. Sturdivant, MSW, director of strategic initiatives and community partnerships at OCCE. “Between UMB and the medical center, we’re giving away more than 1,600 turkeys this year, so we’re quite excited. It’s a wonderful feeling to be able to give.”
Volunteers from across UMB and UMMC began the day early in the morning at Shoppers in Mondawmin Mall, where hundreds of turkeys were packed into police and public safety vans, a pickup truck, and UMMC vehicles for delivery. Although the temperatures were brisk, spirits were high.
Brian Sturdivant lends a hand loading turkeys for community distribution during the annual Season of Giving Thanksgiving Drive.
“There’s always a little bit of excitement heading toward the Shoppers location,” said Amanda Barnes, acting assistant director of Student Services at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law and communications officer for the UMB Staff Senate. “It’s great to work with our partners here on campus — working with UMB Police and Public Safety, working with the Office of Community and Civic Engagement and also with the medical center. It’s cold, but you’re still having a good time knowing that what you’re doing is going to help someone in our community.”
From there, volunteers dispersed across West Baltimore, delivering turkeys to the UMB Community Engagement Center (CEC), UMMC Downtown Campus, and community partners such as James McHenry Elementary School and Hollins House, a residential community for adults 62 and older as well as people with disabilities.
“Today is a little bit more special, because it’s the holidays and people are struggling this time of year, particularly this year,” Sturdivant said. “So that makes it a little bit more important and more impactful, in my opinion, to be able to support our West Baltimore neighbors and their families.”
At the CEC, community members expressed appreciation not only for the holiday meal, but also for the year-round resources the University provides — including health, education, and creative programming.
“It means an awful lot to a lot of people,” said West Baltimore resident Iantha Darden, who stopped by to pick up a turkey. “I like the resources they have at the Community Engagement Center — the sit n' sew, the computer lab, and the community events that draw people to the facility.”
Darden already had a plan for her meal. “I’m thankful for it,” she said of the turkey. “I’ll probably do some stuffing, some collard greens — because I like collard greens — and some mashed potatoes. Something simple, but really good.”
UMB leaders emphasize that the drive is not just about food, but about showing up for neighbors in meaningful, consistent ways.
“For the Staff Senate Outreach Committee, it matters to take part in this drive every fall because it’s a way to support our neighbors in West Baltimore,” Barnes said. “It definitely means a lot to be able to support other people, knowing all of the financial strain and strife that people are dealing with this time of year, especially now.”
The Thanksgiving Drive comes on the heels of another successful partnership between UMB and WJZ-TV for the annual Back-to-School Supply Drive. The Staff Senate and OCCE also are working with the news station for December’s Season of Giving campaign that will make it possible for parents and guardians to shop for affordable gifts for their children at the Christmas Store, hosted in partnership with the Foundry Church of Baltimore. (Donations can be made online through Dec. 13.)
Share This Page
