There's nothing people like more at an event than free food but the offers of take out pizza might get old after five or six clubs on campus try to use it as a bribe. If you want to have an event that will be popular but also improve awareness of the surrounding community, try a Taste of Town night where you order catering or tray from a number of the unique local restaurants. Try to avoid food that students are regularly exposed to. Is there a falafel shop downtown that no one knows about? How about an Italian place with the city's best bread sticks?

It might seem daunting to find the "hard-to-find" places when you don't even know them yourself but your best resources are right on campus: your professors and other faculty and staff members. Find people who know the local area well and ask for their recommendations.

If cost is an issue for your event, consider asking each restaurant if they could offer a discount for the opportunity to hand out fliers or coupons on campus. This might be an attractive offer for new business or places that don't get as much campus attention as they would like.

Make sure to have beverages available, and lots of seating, and get ready to serve! You might want to keep an eye on the food throughout the event so an entire platter of pasta, or tray of sandwiches doesn't walk off with a particularly hungry student. This event is a great way to open student's eyes to the different options in your town and is always popular. Bon appetite!