By Annika Spitzer, ’26, Strategic Communications

With the large number of new freshman coordinators this past year, the kitchen at the Warming House was vibrant with ideas, relationships and recipes.

The coordinators enjoyed preparing (and eating!) dishes such as Natalie’s baked mac ‘n’ cheese, Kevin’s chicken parmesan, and Cecelia’s cookies. The coordinators also asked guests what they would like to see on the menu for the upcoming weeks and receive feedback on previous dinners.

More than meals, the Warming House is a community where many SBU freshmen have found greater purpose. To Kevin Eberth, the community at the Warming House is built upon the relationship between the volunteers and the guests. Friendly conversations between the guests and our coordinators continue to catalyze genuine relationships.

One winter afternoon, freshman coordinator Molly Edgington was representing her home state of Connecticut with a UConn basketball T-shirt. Bob, a regular guest, wondered why she was wearing anything but Bonaventure basketball merchandise. Ever since, Bob has made an effort to keep up with the UConn basketball statistics to chat with Molly.

Encounters like these continue to make Bonaventure a second home for many of our out-of-state students. The Warming House has even shifted the perspective of local residents like coordinators Max Wolfe and Kylee Leonard.

Kylee was initially shocked with the amount of need within her own hometown of Olean. The realization has made the opportunity to give back even more significant.

Max continues to find the joy in “being with other SBU students in a meaningful way,” and to see his town in a new light. St. Bonaventure students and the surrounding community gravitate toward the Warming House, where serving others is principal and love is abundant.

As much as the students give to the guests, the guests also deserve recognition in all they provide to our students. Fresh encounters each week provide lifelong learning opportunities that a classroom alone cannot provide.