This Thanksgiving, no one will be without a place to gather for good food, conversation, and the opportunity to give thanks.

The University of Iowa Office of the Provost and the Center for Diversity and Enrichment in the UI Chief Diversity Office are hosting a traditional Thanksgiving dinner Thursday, Nov. 28, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Old Brick, 26 E. Market St. in Iowa City.

The purpose of the dinner is to give students, faculty, and staff an opportunity to share a meal and build community here on campus while reflecting on and celebrating that for which we are thankful, says Nancy Humbles, director of the UI Center for Diversity and Enrichment.

All UI community members—including students, faculty and staff—are welcome to attend this free dinner. This celebration will especially appeal to international students as well others who may not be able to return home for this break.

Those who wish to attend for the meal need to RSVP by 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 25, by registering here.

Volunteers are still needed, and the deadline to sign up for volunteering is Wednesday, Nov. 27, by 5 p.m. Those interested in volunteering can sign up here.

"We especially hope to provide a social experience for those who are away from home for Thanksgiving," says Georgina Dodge, UI chief diversity officer.

Dodge says that organizers also hope to provide a broader and historically accurate description of Thanksgiving and how it is celebrated today through educational pieces in the room.

Humbles says that organizers want this dinner to give the community a chance to come together and thank everyone in their lives who has made a difference to them.

"We will provide leaves as tokens to take home where we will write some of the things that people we are thankful for," Humbles says. "This Thanksgiving dinner is quite literally following its name—a chance to give thanks to all those who have made our lives better."

Dodge says this celebration provides a perfect opportunity to thank UI faculty, staff, and students, especially the volunteers who are helping make the event possible.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all UI-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, contact Karla Alvarez in the Center for Diversity and Enrichment in advance at 319-335-3555 or at karla-alvarez@uiowa.edu.