Few campus events can bring the totality of the Merrimack College community together like Mack Gives Back Days.
The annual service event (sponsored in part by BJ’s) saw students, faculty and staff gather in the Sakowich Campus Center on Nov. 10 and Nov. 11 for one unifying cause: package non-perishable meals for area nonprofits. Started in 2012 by Vice President for Mission and Ministry Fr. Raymond Dlugos, O.S.A., Ph.D., Mack Gives Back Days commemorates both Veterans Day and Saint Augustine’s birthday on Nov. 13. The event continues to grow each year, and this year Merrimack surpassed 150,000 meals prepared.
“I’m here with the Jumpstart program,” Eva Oppendisano ’28 said while packing apple crisp oatmeal meals. “I’ve always liked volunteering ever since high school. My friend Emily Bastien ’27 was raving about (Mack Gives Back) so I thought it would be fun to join.”
Bastien said she had just completed her third hour-long shift of the day.
“I did it last year only for an hour,” she said. “It felt amazing helping people in the surrounding Merrimack community. It was a no-brainer coming back this year.”
Among the nonprofits Mack Gives Back Days benefits include the Haverhill YMCA, Lazarus House Food Pantry and the Community Pantry and Fridge at Ballard Vale. The Outreach Program of Marshfield was on hand to help distribute the meals.
“We’re working with 24 colleges to get 822,000 meals packed before Thanksgiving,” said Matthew Martin, regional director of The Outreach Program. “It’s been crazy but amazing at the same time. Merrimack is one of our top 5 schools.”
Emily Hanrahan ’26, a human development and service major, was also bitten by the Mack Gives Back Days bug. Although it was her first year as a student organizer, she was far from a newbie.
“I worked multiple shifts previously because I just love doing it,” she said with a smile.
Hanrahan worked alongside her friend and fellow human development and service major, Theresa Cabral ’26, overseeing operations Monday afternoon.
“It’s amazing to see everyone come together and help out,” said Cabral, a second-year student organizer. “It’s my favorite day of the year.”
In the packing lines, Merrimack club lacrosse members showed up in force.
“We just finished packing our second box of mac and cheese meals,” Sam Malone ’27, a marketing major, explained. “This is my first year doing it. It’s good to help out the community however we can.”
