Students who purchased sandwiches, hummus plates or burrito bowls didn’t just buy a meal this week.

They also helped support non-profits around the area.

“I bought a sandwich and helped others in need, doesn’t get much simpler than that,” said Julia Sebesta, senior speech-language pathology major. 

Students who ate dinner at Potbelly Sandwich Shop Monday night did more than just buy a sandwich – they donated to the Community Food Bank of Fort Worth. 

Dinners at Zoës Kitchen on Tuesday supported the Humane Society of North Texas. Wednesday’s evening meal at Chipotle benefitted The Boys & Girls Club of Arlington. 

The three days of crEATING Awareness week was organized by senior business students Matt Burke, Tedd Carew and Allen Fozzard. 

“We wanted to bring not only awareness but donations to these causes,” said Carew, senior finance major. “We think there are a lot of people in the community who are willing to help, but they just don’t know where to go.” 

The students did this as part of their senior impact project for the Next Generation Leadership Program to show students and people around Tarrant County that they can get involved and give back to local non-profits. 

For Potbelly employee Carl Perkins, the community has helped him in many ways throughout his life.

”If you give back to the community, the community gives back to you,” Perkins said. 

Each restaurant was paired with an organization of each member’s choosing.

Potbelly donated 25 percent of its earnings to the Community Food Bank. Zoës Kitchen donated 15 percent to the Humane Society of North Texas. And Chipotle donated 50 percent of its total earnings to The Boys & Girls Club of Arlington, totaling more than 800 dollars for the three nights.