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An upcoming community event at Western Illinois University will bring together students, faculty, and residents to explore how food, storytelling, and community gatherings can help people cope with grief and strengthen social connections.
The PIEOWA screening and community gathering will take place April 15 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Garden Lounge at Malpass Library. The event will feature a screening and discussion inspired by the story of Beth M. Howard, whose experience of using pie-making as a way to process the sudden loss of her husband grew into a broader community tradition centered on healing through shared food and conversation.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to sample a variety of pies—including apple, cherry, peach, blueberry, strawberry, chocolate, key lime, sweet potato, and pecan—while participating in conversations about resilience, grief, and the role of community in emotional well-being.
The event is part of a collaborative academic initiative that allows graduate students to apply public health and health promotion concepts to a real-world community engagement project.
“PIEOWA demonstrates how something as simple as baking and sharing food can create meaningful opportunities for connection and healing,” said Maureen Bezold, associate professor and graduate coordinator in the Department of Health and Wellness Services. “This experience allows graduate students to move beyond theory and see how health promotion concepts can be applied in real community settings to support mental health and social well-being.”
Graduate students involved in the project say the event highlights how everyday traditions can become powerful tools for emotional support.
“Grief can be deeply isolating,” said Enyonam Adjoa Neku, a pharmacist, community health intern at the Illinois Public Health Association, Master of Public Health student, and Boston Congress of Public Health Editorial Fellow. “What PIEOWA shows is that healing often happens in shared spaces where people feel comfortable gathering, talking, and supporting one another.”
For Nnamdi Ayozie, a medical doctor with a strong interest in public health and research, the project reflects the importance of community- based approaches to well-being.
“Medicine often focuses on treating illness, but community support plays a major role in preventing emotional distress,” Ayozie said. “This event demonstrates how social connection and simple shared activities can contribute to healthier communities.”
Abiola Ayodele, a broadcast journalist with a strong interest in environmental health and safety, currently writing for Canadian Occupational Safety and a member of the American Society of Safety Professionals, emphasized the role of storytelling and cultural traditions in promoting mental wellness.
“Food traditions exist in every culture,” Ayodele said. “When people gather around something familiar like pie, it creates a welcoming environment where conversations about grief, healing, and resilience can happen naturally.”
Organizers hope the event will bring together members of the campus and Macomb community to reflect on the importance of connection, empathy, and shared experiences during difficult times.
The event is free and open to the public, and community members are encouraged to attend.
For additional information about the event, contact the Department of Health and Wellness Services at Western Illinois University.
