The fifth annual Women's Health and Wellness Chocolate Festival was held by the Women's Resource Center Wednesday, Nov. 13, in the Student Center Ballroom.
Students were able to purchase tickets for $5, which entitled them to five servings of chocolate.
All of the festival's proceeds will be donated to the Weekend Backpack Program, which provides school children who have free or reduced price meals at school with nutritious food to eat over the weekend.
The festival was designed to promote a healthy lifestyle while simultaneously endorsing festivalgoers to enjoy life.
"It's not just weight loss or nutrition or anything like that, we're talking physical, mental, spiritual and emotional health," said Pam Frank, senior in English and the co-chair of the festival.
Frank said the chocolate represented the importance of moderation in a healthy lifestyle.
"You don't need to deprive yourself to be a healthy person and a happy person," Frank said.
Various health resource expositions from campus organizations and local businesses were set up at tables around the room for people to browse through and sample chocolate goods.
"We try to be really purposeful as far as who we invite as expos," Frank said. "We don't make it like we want to sell you something. We want you to know that you have these resources available."
In addition to the expos a silent auction and raffle were held featuring goods and gift cards that had been donated by local businesses.
"There's been a lot of support for this festival," said Maggie Mccoy, junior in chemical engineer and chairperson for the festival's silent auction. "It's been really moving to see people giving out of their pockets."
Each year, the festival donates its revenue to a charity.
Mccoy said she was enthusiastic about the Weekend Backpack Program that will receive this year's festival funds.
"It's just a meaningful and powerful experience being able to raise money this year for children who are hungry and last year for women who need to get necessary cancer treatment and testing," Mccoy said.
Bonnie Wilson, coordinator in the Science and Engineering Institute at the Women's Resource Center, said the Women's Resource Center was going to put the festival on again next year, but additional chocolate goods would be needed for the large turnout.
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