While most University of New Haven professors, employees, and students left campus for Thanksgiving, the campus wasn’t completely empty. Some — especially athletes — stayed put.

The university did what it could to support the people who were staying on campus over the holiday. Katie George, operations and event manager of the Career Development Center, helped assist with a pop-up pantry to help students who might need help.

“If they don’t have a meal plan or access to the dining hall, we held that pop-up pantry to support these students if they need help,” George said.

Thanksgiving is celebrated every year with closures (in 2017, more than 60 national and regional chain stores shut their doors). AAA estimates more than 54 million Americans traveled 50 miles or more from home for the holiday in 2018, and most colleges and universities close to observe the holiday.

Daniel Ruede, assistant director of athletics for strategic communications, said, athletes often take a short break, including the women’s basketball team, though their male counterparts flew out for a holiday tournament in Florida. He said the team flew out Thursday morning and found a restaurant near their hotel that served as traditional of a Thanksgiving as possible.