KD
Kaila DeSilva
  • Fashion and Textiles
  • Class of 2017
  • Sunnyside, NY

Kaila DeSilva Organizes Fundraiser for Food Pantry

2014 Dec 18

Kaila DeSilva of Sunnyside, NY, was one of three SUNY Oneonta event planning students who organized a benefit for a local food pantry on Dec. 5.

DeSilva is a member of the Class of 2017 majoring in Fashion and Textiles .

More than 50 students were involved in the event, which included a pasta dinner prepared by food service and restaurant administration students followed by a fashion show featuring 27 student models.

Fashion students modeled outfits culled from the racks of a local consignment store, as well as some of their own creations. Accessories provided by a local jewelry store completed each ensemble. Between fashion show acts, entertainment was provided by a student magician, the Hooked on Tonics mixed a cappella group, and the Voices of Serenity gospel choir. Door prizes donated by local merchants were raffled off at the end of the night.

Fashion for Food was started by Department of Human Ecology lecturer Starr Hobb three years ago with her Consumer Resource Management course students. In that course, students conduct service-learning projects, and several wanted to help the St. Mary's Food Pantry in Oneonta. The event has become an annual tradition that allows Human Ecology students from three different disciplines--food service and restaurant administration, fashion and textiles, and event planning--to practice their skills while giving back to the community. This year's event raised nearly $1,100 for the food pantry.