Few things say “family togetherness” like sitting down to a big spaghetti dinner.

The Mercyhurst Social Work department will host a Hurst Family Spaghetti Dinner on Sunday, Dec. 7, at Mercyhurst Preparatory School.

Every year, senior Social Work majors develop a project, depending on the students’ particular interests. This year, the class, which consists of nine seniors, decided to host the Family Spaghetti Dinner in an effort to promote family togetherness. The proceeds from the dinner will go to help families in need in the Erie area.

The dinner will be completely student-run, including the cooking and serving, according to senior Ashlynn Marchese. Doors will open at 4 p.m. and dinner will be served at 5 p.m.

“On a college campus the majority of us are fortunate but some people won’t have a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner this year,” Marchese said.

The students “want to give back to the community,” senior Kayla McMullen said.

In order to further help these families, the department is holding a food drive on campus. Nonperishable items will be collected from Nov. 1 to Dec. 1.

There are collection bins in the academic buildings throughout campus.

“Think green beans for their holiday dinner, but anything will help,” Marchese said.

All of the food collected will go towards “dinner baskets we will create to donate to families,” said Marchese. “The proceeds from the event will go to buying additional items to supplement the baskets.”

Both Marchese and McMullen expressed how important it was for them to be part of a program that is dedicated to helping others.

“A lot of people don’t realize there are so many things you can do with social work that are outside the realm of the traditional field,” Marchese said.

Tickets for the upcoming dinner are $10 for adults, $5 for children four to 10 years old and children under three eat free. Only 150 tickets will be sold in order to preserve the close family atmosphere.

Tickets are available from any Social Work student or in Preston 108 and 111.