Veg it up: Club hosts plant-based Thanksgiving feast

Braxton Hare, Contributing Writer

VCU’s VegClub hosted “Vegansgiving,” a plant-powered potluck celebrating community and plant-based eating on Nov. 14.

VegClub is an inclusive organization aiming to provide a supportive space for vegan, vegetarian and veg-curious students while promoting awareness about the benefits of plant-based diets, according to its website.

Members were encouraged to showcase their culinary skills by bringing a plant-based dish to share at the event.

“‘Vegansgiving’ is a chance for anyone to come and enjoy a delicious plant-based meal with a group of awesome and inclusive people,” said Kirsten Ponticelli, the communications chair for VegClub.

Although the event was potluck-style, bringing food was not required. Ponticelli said she made four different dishes for the event to ensure there was plenty of food for everyone.

“I’ve been a vegetarian for six years now, and I was never around a community of people who had the same philosophy and thought process about food as me,” Ponticelli said. “When I came to VCU and heard about VegClub, it was so rewarding to participate in these amazing discussions and confront all of the thoughts I have about the food that appears on my plate.”

Ponticelli said having a community that inherently understands her dietary choices has been refreshing and something that everyone should have in their life. 

“It’s just so nice not having to explain myself and instead having people who just get it,” Ponticelli said.

She has personal experience feeling alienated during the holidays with family who don’t share the same diet, Ponticelli said.

“This is just a chance for vegans to be able to eat anything on the table and not have to worry,” Ponticelli said. “The event is really about good camaraderie, good conversation and good food.”

She also acknowledged the stereotypes and misconceptions some people have about vegans and vegetarians.

“I understand where the stereotype comes from, but it’s never our goal to tell people what they should or shouldn’t eat or to force anything on anyone,” Ponticelli said.

The potluck featured a variety of dishes, including oyster mushroom fried chicken, white bean bruschetta, vegan tzatziki and other plant-based options. Each item was labeled with allergens to ensure food safety as well. 

VegClub’s Vice President Misha Patel brought homemade vegan pumpkin bread.

“I feel like many people just don’t understand what goes on behind the scenes of the food they eat,” Patel said. “It’s important to bring awareness to that.”

Patel said she didn’t know much about the vegan lifestyle before joining the club.

“It was cool to gain more awareness myself,” Patel said. “Many people we talk to during tabling events have their own assumptions about things, so it’s fun to educate them and see how their viewpoints change.”

VegClub successfully advocated for VCU Dining Services to switch to cage-free eggs starting in the spring of 2024 to promote awareness about food systems, according to Patel.

“It was a big move for us,” Patel said. “It’s been an issue getting them to publicly announce it, but they have switched, which is a big step.”

VegClub also hosts events like the “Dairy is Scary” table during Halloween, where students answer trivia about animal cruelty in the dairy industry, Patel said. “Vegansgiving” typically draws the largest crowd.

“Hopefully, we can bring more people into the club,” Patel said. “Even if they’re just curious about plant-based eating, we want to educate people so they can educate others.”

Summer Seebold, a first-year English student and five-year vegetarian, also attended this year’s “Vegansgiving” to enjoy a meal aligned with her values. 

Seebold has volunteered at events like the Richmond VegFest with VegClub, further connecting with the local vegetarian and vegan scene, she said.

“I’m vegetarian mostly due to the aspect of killing animals and animal cruelty,” Seebold said. “For me, being vegetarian is not just a dietary choice but a lifestyle rooted in respect for all living beings.”

VegClub provides a supportive space to meet like-minded individuals and promote plant-based eating in the broader community, according to Seebold.

“I’m from central Pennsylvania, where plant-based options are minimal,” Seebold said. “Richmond is so different. There are so many great restaurants and cafes like Harrison Street Cafe that provide tons of vegan and vegetarian options. I’ve never seen accessibility like this before, it’s truly incredible to think about.”