CWU DINING SERVICES STRENGTHENS COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS In the fall of 2023, CWU Dining Services staff extended their reach through three significant community outreach efforts, showcasing their dedication to supporting the local community. In early September, the team provided critical support to firefighters battling a wildfire in the Yakima Canyon. Partnering with the Student Union Dining operations team, Dining Services staff prepared breakfast for over 100 firefighters and support personnel, followed by a gourmet chicken dinner later that day. The Southeast Washington Interagency Incident Management Team expressed their gratitude on social media, saying, “They spoiled us and did it all with a smile! We are SO grateful for their support and the food they put in our bellies.” Reflecting on the effort, Assistant Director of Student Union Dining Operations and 1891 Catering Dustin Atkinson emphasized the team’s commitment to the Ellensburg community. “We all live here and care about our neighbors. Helping others is more than just work for us. We love this community and love to serve,” he said. Ten days later, CWU Dining Services participated in the annual Bite of the ’Burg event in downtown Ellensburg, hosted by the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce. The event, which serves as a welcome to students and a connection point between the university and the local community, saw CWU staff engaging with attendees and serving delicious food. “Bite of the ’Burg is a great reminder that CWU is a strong community partner,” said Director of Dining Services Dean Masuccio. “We hope events like this open the door to more opportunities to support our community.” The season concluded with CWU Dining Services playing a key role in the annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner at the Kittitas Valley Event Center. Co-sponsored by the City of Ellensburg, the event provided a free Thanksgiving meal to residents and fostered a spirit of togetherness. Alongside local leaders and volunteers, CWU staff, including General Managers Monique Gonzalez and Joe Regelbrugge, delivered a memorable experience for attendees.
SPECIALTY DINNER AND CAMPUS EVENT PARTNERSHIPS
“This event allows everyone to come together and enjoy a delicious meal in good company. CWU Dining Services was a fantastic partner, and we look forward to working with them again in the future.” KATELYN CLAVETTE, Adult Activity Center Coordinator
Lunar New Year Department of World Languages and Cultures, The History Club, Office of International Studies and Programs, Korean Culture Club, and Asian Studies Program 359 ATTENDEES Plant Based Picnic Wildcat Farm 300 ATTENDEES Late Night Brunch and Drag Show ASCWU 377 ATTENDEES Food Festival Wildcat Farm, Tea Tulia, Wildcat Shop, Hormel Foods, Caffe Vita, Winegar’s, Monster Energy, Coca-Cola 2000 ATTENDEES
Mabuhay (1st Time) FASA 142 ATTENDEES Día de los Muertos DEC, MEChA, and SLICE 164 ATTENDEES Welcome BBQ Caffe Vita, Wildcat Farm, Monster Energy, Coca-Cola, Hormel Foods, MegaMex, Winegar’s 2000 ATTENDEES
Masuccio emphasized that these efforts are just the beginning of a broader commitment to community engagement. “These events
represent the start of long-term partnerships. We’re excited to continue finding new ways to give back to the community.”
Taste of Soul DEC
270 ATTENDEES
13
14
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator