Bauer Gives Back: A Reason to Give Thanks

With Classmates in Tow, Supply Chain Management Student Helps to Serve a Thanksgiving Super Feast to Those in Need

Published on December 6, 2012

Editor’s note: This story is part of a series called “Bauer Gives Back,” which will run through the rest of the Fall 2012 semester. With weekly updates each Friday, Bauer Gives Back will highlight volunteer activities and charitable efforts of students, staff, faculty and alumni of the college.

Thanksgiving Superfeast

Supply Chain Management student Rani Ramchandani and other Bauer students served Thanksgiving meals during Thanksgiving Superfeast at the George R. Brown Convention Center on Nov. 22, 2012.

Every November, the smell of turkey, stuffing and sweet potatoes fills the air as families prepare their Thanksgiving meals. But for a large group of the Houston population, affording such a feast is a challenge.

That’s where volunteers in the community, including many students from the C. T. Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston, come in.

Rani Ramchandani, a supply chain management sophomore at the Bauer College, volunteers her time each year during the Thanksgiving Superfeast at the George R. Brown Convention Center, serving up turkey and sides to families. She also helps children at the event pen letters to Santa Claus, in preparation for the upcoming holiday season.

“I know I’m impacting the community I live in,” Ramchandani said. “When I see the same people every year, I’m building a relationship with the community and I love it.”

By reaching out to the Houston community each year, Ramchandani says her ultimate goal is to give back and hopefully make an impact.

“People are not going through the best things. They are struggling, and I feel I’m able to contribute to the community, even to one person, and impact their day,” said Ramchandani. “That, to me, is the overarching reason why I want to volunteer my time. Making that impact is probably the best feeling to walk away with, whether it’s coloring with a child or donating to a huge community, it really does impact people and that’s why I do it every year.”

The next installment of Bauer Gives Back will be posted on www.bauer.uh.edu on Friday, Dec. 14. Do you have a suggestion for someone who should be recognized? Email Director of Communications Jessica Navarro at jnavarro@bauer.uh.edu.