After 20 years, Christmas Day at Pitt is still bringing joy and connection to the community

For Mark Burdsall, Christmas Day at Pitt isn't just a volunteer shift, it's a family tradition 13 years strong.

The assistant vice chancellor for consulting services in the Office of Human Resources first heard about the event - which provides hot meals, gifts and a welcoming space for neighbors each year on Dec. 25 - from a colleague in community relations. Burdsall didn't have relatives nearby, so he and his wife decided to bring their 10-year-old son to spend the holiday on campus.

They've returned every year since.

"We like to volunteer, and we brought up our son to volunteer regularly," Burdsall said. "Christmas Day at Pitt stood out because of the community … people coming together and being happy and just appreciating having a nice meal."

Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, Christmas Day at Pitt has become one of the University's most enduring community traditions, when Pitt staff, faculty, students, retirees and their families come together to serve local residents who might otherwise spend the holiday alone. This year's Christmas Day at Pitt will take place Dec. 25, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., at The Eatery in Litchfield Towers, where community members are invited to enjoy a free hot holiday meal, gifts and live music in a welcoming, festive environment.

What began as a small act of service has grown into a cherished gathering that reflects Pitt's long-standing commitment to compassion and community care. Burdsall credits the Office of Engagement and Community Affairs for sustaining the quality of the event for two decades. Every year was well organized, he said, with a warm atmosphere and no long lines. And there's always enough food for people to have seconds and take a plate home.

Jamie Ducar (pictured at top, far left), associate vice chancellor for engagement and community affairs, said maintaining the event has depended on collaboration across the University and beyond. Pitt Eats and Pitt Business and Operations provide core support for meals, staffing and logistics, alongside contributions from Pitt Athletics, Pitt Surplus, the Salvation Army band and dozens of campus units that donate toys and supplies.

"We are proud to continue the tradition of a warm holiday meal and friendly fellowship for as long as the need continues," Ducar said. "The Pitt community shows up for each Christmas Day at Pitt with smiles and sleeves rolled up ready to serve; we are grateful to them and want to ensure they feel central to our success this year especially."

While the heart of the event - a warm holiday meal and fellowship - has remained constant, its reach has expanded. Over time, the program has grown beyond a single on-campus meal to include meal drop-offs and gift deliveries supporting partners in Pittsburgh's Greater Hazelwood, the Hill District, Homewood and Oakland neighborhoods.

Behind the scenes, the scale of the effort is significant. Volunteers work with Pitt Eats for days leading up to Christmas to prepare and package nearly 3,000 meals, while campus gift drives help supply more than 3,000 gifts distributed both before and on the holiday. Through its partnership with the Salvation Army, Pitt also helps deliver approximately 1,500 meals to seniors who may be homebound in advance of the holiday, while food recovery efforts allow additional meals to reach Pittsburgh-area residents.

Each of these efforts combine to fill substantial need for food and community during the holiday season, said Justin Dandoy, Pitt's director of community affairs.

"Christmas Day at Pitt provides a direct service to our community members on a day where there may not be a lot of alternatives for them to have a hot meal, an opportunity to share in fellowship and a chance to celebrate the season," Dandoy said. "This is especially the case for folks who may be far away from family and friends, or those who don't have family or social networks to connect with to celebrate the season. This is something that everyone deserves, especially during this festive time of year."

Burdsall recalled one year on Christmas Day, when a young man who had come to eat asked if he could stay to help. That guest, Burdsall and Burdsall's son spent the rest of the day washing dishes together. "He wanted to give back by working. So, we put an apron on him and got him to work," Burdsall said.

It was the perfect example, Burdsall said, of how the event's impact is more than a meal - it's the sense of belonging, especially for those who may otherwise spend the holiday alone.

"That's why I love doing this," Burdsall said. "For that day, those individuals don't have to worry about getting a meal, the kids having a gift. That's what's impactful to me."