This month Black Action Society (BAS) and Queens are currently partnering with a non-profit called the Gruff Foundation to host a Thanksgiving Food Drive.
Leiana Raglin is the president for Black Action Society and has been working with her club members to put together this food drive.
“Black Action Society is an organization that provides a safe space for the African American students here on campus in promoting, educating and supporting the African American students as well as like enhancing on the Black experience here and showcasing to other students, like what our organization is from our history, our culture our standards,” Raglin said.
“It’s been really enjoyable being president and being a part of this organization because it’s helped me hone in on the things of my culture and as well as giving people a chance to learn about our culture as well,” Raglin said.
Raglin started planning for the food drive earlier this year after a graduate from SRU who works with the nonprofit, the Gruff Foundation reached out.
“She got in contact with me and she asked if BAS wanted to do a donation drive and wanted us to collect items from the students here on campus. And with that they wanted to come and collect these things and then later on down the line, they wanted to have a Thanksgiving dinner to give back to the homeless,” Raglin said.
BAS have hosted a food drive in the past along with donating to the Kind Closet and The Rock Pantry.
“Doing a lot of community service is a thing that I really like to do,” Raglin said.
If students would like to get involved with BAS, Raglin encourages students to get to know her and her members.
Those interested in donating to the Thanksgiving Food Drive, there is a box in the library and in the suite at the Smith Student Center second floor.
The organization will be taking donations until Nov. 23 and plans to put out more boxes at various locations for students to donate.
Raglin shared how she feels the donation drive will benefit students on campus.
“It will benefit students here on campus because there’s a lot of students that may show interest in community service, but they necessarily don’t know where to start,” Raglin said.
Raglin then shared what she is looking forward to most about hosting this event.
“I’m most excited about being able to have a community reaching the same goal and as well as giving back to the community,” Raglin said.
“I feel like it’s such a good thing to be able to do and give back to the less fortunate, because although that they have a certain circumstance going on right now, they are still a person, they still need to eat, they still need to have a sheltered place to live and just someone to care about their wellbeing because you never know someone’s situation or their story unless you talk to them,” Raglin said.
The Gruff Foundation is also looking for volunteers to help with the Thanksgiving dinner.
If an individual donates three or more cans, they will be able to qualify for a giveaway to potentially win a $25 gift card.
A message from the Gruff Foundation:
Pittsburgh Organizations Come Together for Thanksgiving Giveback
This Thanksgiving, the Gruff Foundation, CARE Collective, PurposeLee, and several community partners are coming together to give back to Pittsburgh families and individuals in need.
The inaugural Thanksgiving Giveback will take place on Thursday, November 26, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Jubilee Kitchen in Pittsburgh. Our goal is to provide more than 300 hot meals, care packages, and essential resources to those experiencing homelessness and food insecurity.
Following the event, volunteers will also take meals directly into the community for individuals unable to attend. As we prepare for this event, we are asking the Slippery Rock University community to help us make a difference!
Donations of canned green beans, canned sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, and other Thanksgiving essentials are greatly appreciated.
Donations can be dropped off at The Suite in the Smith Student Center through November 23.
Every donation, big or small, helps us bring a warm meal and a little extra love to someone this Thanksgiving. We encourage SRU students, faculty, staff, and alumni to come together and help us give back.
For more information individuals can follow The Gruff Foundation on Instagram at grufffoundation
Students can also learn more about from Black Action Society on CORE and see updates on their Instagram at bassru.
