By Kaelin Viera
Students are celebrating Valentine’s Day with lots of sweet treats, thanks to Purchase Dining Services.
“I like Valentine’s Day because it’s socially acceptable for me to go into a CVS and buy myself a box of chocolates,” said sophomore Kyle Grindstaff.
Luckily for Purchase students, not all V-Day candy comes at a cost. PCEats, the campus dining team run in part by student interns, began giving out free candy in the Hub at noon, as long as you spun for it.
Sadie Weiss spins the PCEats wheel. (Photo by Kaelin Viera)
Sadie Weiss, a freshman psychology major, said her favorite part of the holiday is that “everybody shows love to random people.”
According to PCEats, this is exactly their goal.
The spin-the-wheel event at the Hub is the last in the team’s “Delightful Week,” an initiative intern Brianna Guzman said was created to “spread some kindness and some love.” Prior events included bouquet- and herb-kit building, heart-shaped cookie decorating, and a merch giveaway at Einstein’s.
Trygve Gundersen eats candy at the PCEats station. (Photo by Kaelin Viera)
Even students who do not look forward to the holiday agree the candy is the best part.
“I think Valentine’s is kinda fun if you’re in a couple, but overall, I think birthdays and anniversaries are more important,” said sophomore Olivia Summer. “I do like the candy though.”
Students are not the only ones celebrating. In fact, the National Retail Federation reports that candy is the most popular gift on Feb. 14, with 56% of Americans planning to buy some.
The NRF also said Valentine’s Day spending is expected to reach $27.5 billion, up from last year’s $25.8 billion and the previous 2020 record of $27.4 billion.
The PCEats team was quickly depleted of their free pink Sour Punch sticks, mini M&Ms, and Nerds Gummy Clusters, concluding the event less than an hour and a half after it began.
“I just love a community coming together and celebrating together,” said dining intern Trygve Gundersen, a senior acting major. “It’s really fun.”
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