CMU Dining Plays a Supportive Role in Grand Junction Community

At Colorado Mesa University (CMU), dining services extend beyond providing meals; they actively contribute to uplifting the Grand Junction community. This fall semester, CMU Dining has ramped up its involvement with initiatives that support both local residents and students, strengthening its role as a vital community partner.

A highlight of the season is CMU Dining’s participation in two prominent community events: the Community Hospital Gala and the West Star Aviation event. These events provide an opportunity for the dining team to showcase their culinary expertise while helping raise funds for important causes. By catering these large gatherings, CMU Dining fosters connections and strengthens partnerships within the broader Grand Junction community.

In October, CMU Dining organizes its annual food drive in collaboration with The Pantry on campus to combat food insecurity among students. This initiative encourages the campus community to donate non-perishable items, ensuring that students have access to essential food resources. Alongside the food drive, CMU Dining remains committed to its Swipe Out Hunger program, which donates 2,000 meals each year to students facing food shortages, ensuring they receive healthy and nourishing meals.

Another way CMU Dining serves the community is through its annual student pumpkin carving contest. During this event, the team collects all the seeds from the pumpkins and encourages students to take them home, providing a tutorial on how to bake them and explaining their nutritional benefits. Students also learn about the importance of using every part of the pumpkin to reduce waste. All leftover pumpkins are then donated to local farmers, supporting sustainable practices in the area.

Additionally, CMU Dining has partnered with Move Out for Hunger, an initiative encouraging students to donate unused non-perishable food items during move-out periods at the end of the fall and spring semesters. These donations support The Pantry on campus and benefit the wider community, helping those in need throughout the Grand Junction area.

During the holiday season, CMU Dining continues its tradition of giving back by collaborating with the Salvation Army. For more than 20 years, the dining team has prepared over 150 turkeys and a variety of side dishes for local families, demonstrating their longstanding commitment to serving the community during times of need.

This fall, CMU Dining is also re-launching its Food Recovery Network. This initiative encourages student participation in community service by rescuing leftover food from dining operations and distributing it to local individuals and families. In partnership with Catholic Outreach and Homeward Bound, the program ensures that surplus food reaches those facing food insecurity in Grand Junction, promoting sustainability and community support.

CMU Dining’s involvement in these efforts reflects their dedication to fostering a strong, connected community. Through their events, food drives, meal donations, and collaborative partnerships, CMU Dining enhances the campus experience while ensuring that vital resources reach those in need across the region. As the fall semester continues, the team remains committed to making a meaningful difference for both students and local residents.