When Ramen noodles no longer supplement the college diet and fast food has left its permanent stamp on the human body, students may turn to other means of food consumption to quell their often inextinguishable hunger pains this Thanksgiving.

Of course, this is a common cliché; some even would tell you that they hardly eat out at all, and moreover, a home-cooked meal is just as prevalent in their apartment complexes as it was at Mom’s house.

Potluck food celebrations may seem like a common occurrence only at church dinners or moose lodges, but some college students are spending their time in the kitchen and inviting friends over to share and combine food dishes.

Art senior Ellen Moershel said learning to cook was a necessity for her.

“The reason I started cooking with other people is because I became a vegetarian,” she said. “So suddenly finding savory, interesting foods that don’t have meat as an ingredient became difficult. Turns out there are a lot of people who share similar views and the same love for food that I do.”

Nutrition senior Catherine Aur said she throws potluck parties for the sheer joy of cooking.

“I love to cook,” she said. “I love experimenting with new foods and new flavors. I just get really excited about food, and potlucks are a great way to get together and spend time with my friends and trade recipes.”

Moershel began cooking with her friends twice a month, she said, and discovered that if more people combine their efforts, there will undoubtedly be more food, which ultimately means less spent money.

“[Potlucks] are a cheap way to eat a sometimes very delicious and inexpensive meal,” Moershel said. “As well as an excuse to get together with some friends [in an environment] that doesn’t involve spending a bunch of money.”

Aur said money is the main reason college students choose not to take the time to cook, which is why potlucks are so advantageous to her age group.

“The beauty of potlucks is that each person can bring a couple items and make a large and delicious meal for a relatively inexpensive price,” she said.

Rounding up friends to hang out can be difficult during the holiday season, where busy schedules and finals preparation seem to be ubiquitous among college campuses.

Asian studies senior Derek Hottle, however, said food is always a good excuse to spend time with friends.

“Potlucks can be an excuse for people to get together who have been too busy to hang out with each other,” he said. “It can also be a good meal for students who eat entirely too much fast food.”

Deciding just what to bring to a potluck, however, may pose a challenge.

“If I am going to a potluck where everyone is cooking together, then usually I will bring either vegetables from my garden or a filler like rice or pasta,” Moershel said. “But if I’m not cooking, then I’ll bring something like hummus for people to snack on, some cookies for dessert or just a bottle of wine.”

The reasons to throw and enjoy potlucks are plenty and obvious, Hottle said.

“Everybody loves food and drink,” Hottle said. “So who doesn’t love potluck parties?”