ST. MARY’S CITY, Md. (Nov. 3, 2009) — Food. It’s an essential part of our lives, giving us energy, enhancing our senses, creating long-lasting memories, and bringing us all together. To celebrate this important part of life, St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) students will read fiction, poetry, and personal essays inspired by food at the Writers Harvest Reading, part of the VOICES Reading Series, at 8:15 p.m., Thursday, November 12, 2009, in Daugherty-Palmer Commons at the college. Student-prepared food will be served and all proceeds from the event will be donated to Food and Water Watch. This event is open to the public, and $5 donations are asked of each attendee.
Many of the students reading at the event were part of a course, “Books that Cook,” taught by SMCM Professor Jennifer Cognard-Black last summer. “Each student had to cook one recipe and research the dish’s history as part of the class,” said Cognard-Black. During the course, the students also focused on local agriculture, local food movements, and sustainability. They then compiled their recipes and writings into a publication that will be handed out at the Harvest reading.
Writers Harvest Readings occur all over the nation annually around Thanksgiving to benefit local charities. The SMCM students chose Food and Water Watch for this year’s benefit, a Washington, D.C.- based nonprofit organization that works to ensure clean water and safe food. Prior to the reading, a representative and SMCM alumni, Erica Schuetz ’07, will speak at 6:30 p.m. in Montgomery Hall 103 about the organization and its efforts as well as provide information for students interested in becoming interns.