The Good, the Bad and the ARAMARK, pt. 2
Geoffrey Pursinger
Issue date: 5/14/09 Section: News
A dancing flame gently licks the underside of a hamburger patty as students make their way through the outdoor buffet line. After filling their plates with the essential barbeque traditions of hotdogs, hamburgers and coleslaw they take a seat anywhere they can, at the various picnic tables scattered throughout the Pacific University Quad, or just finding a nice spot on the grass.
As the food runs low, workers swap out empty trays for fresh new ones.
The shirts the caterers wear read "Boxerstock Event Staff" but the faces match those the students had met earlier that day at lunch. These are Aramark employees.
Aramark, the food service provider for Pacific University, donated the food for free to Boxerstock, the on campus end of the year celebration sponsored by the Pacific Hall Councils.
"It's just so much easier to work with Aramark," said Aaron Eberhart, Leadership Development Coordinator for the Residence Hall Association and coadvisor of the event.
"For an event this large it would have been hard to go to an outsider and have them do all of this for us, especially for free."
This is the side of Aramark that few in the community see. The corporate giant is often criticized by local businesses because of their contract with the university, which gives Aramark exclusive rights to cater all of Pacific's events, and forbids other local businesses from venturing onto campus.
"It's a touchy subject," said Lois Hornberger, who works with Aramark routinely through her role as Director of Conference Services at Pacific. "They are very protective, but I would invite you to look at what they give back to the community in return."
Giving back is the motto of Bethany Bigelow.
Born and raised in Alaska, the northwest native has served as Aramark's Director of Dining Operations for two years. Since coming to the Forest Grove campus she has worked to bring the food service provider out into the hearts and minds of the community. Aramark joined the Forest Grove Chamber of Commerce in January, 2009, and has provided their catering services to several local events around the city, including the annual Rotary Steak Feed, sponsored by the Forest Grove Noon Rotary Club. They also have a long tradition of assisting in Forest Grove's annual Corn Roast held each fall.
As the food runs low, workers swap out empty trays for fresh new ones.
The shirts the caterers wear read "Boxerstock Event Staff" but the faces match those the students had met earlier that day at lunch. These are Aramark employees.
Aramark, the food service provider for Pacific University, donated the food for free to Boxerstock, the on campus end of the year celebration sponsored by the Pacific Hall Councils.
"It's just so much easier to work with Aramark," said Aaron Eberhart, Leadership Development Coordinator for the Residence Hall Association and coadvisor of the event.
"For an event this large it would have been hard to go to an outsider and have them do all of this for us, especially for free."
This is the side of Aramark that few in the community see. The corporate giant is often criticized by local businesses because of their contract with the university, which gives Aramark exclusive rights to cater all of Pacific's events, and forbids other local businesses from venturing onto campus.
"It's a touchy subject," said Lois Hornberger, who works with Aramark routinely through her role as Director of Conference Services at Pacific. "They are very protective, but I would invite you to look at what they give back to the community in return."
Giving back is the motto of Bethany Bigelow.
Born and raised in Alaska, the northwest native has served as Aramark's Director of Dining Operations for two years. Since coming to the Forest Grove campus she has worked to bring the food service provider out into the hearts and minds of the community. Aramark joined the Forest Grove Chamber of Commerce in January, 2009, and has provided their catering services to several local events around the city, including the annual Rotary Steak Feed, sponsored by the Forest Grove Noon Rotary Club. They also have a long tradition of assisting in Forest Grove's annual Corn Roast held each fall.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Linda
posted 12/11/09 @ 12:07 AM PST
I am writing this comment due to the fact that Greg Shipp was mentioned in this article. He is a child molester. As most people read this article they may see him as someone trying to good for this community. (Continued…)
essay editing services
posted 12/11/09 @ 7:03 AM PST
It is great that Aramark, the food service provider for Pacific University, donated the food for free to Boxerstock, the on campus end of the year celebration sponsored by the Pacific Hall Councils. (Continued…)
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