Hunger and Homelessness Week Oct. 2-5

September 20, 2006

Students will have the opportunity to expand their classroom education into the real world and experience the plight of those less fortunate during Hunger and Homelessness Week, Monday, Oct. 2, through Thursday, Oct. 5.

Sponsored by the University’s Volunteer Services Office, the week will include events to raise student awareness of the homeless population and hunger issues.

The week begins on Monday, Oct. 2, with a poverty simulation from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Russell Union Ballroom. ‘Students can walk through the simulations to briefly experience life on the side of poverty,” said Diana Hensley, coordinator of Volunteer Services.

At 6 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 3, a Hunger Banquet will be held in the Russell Union Ballroom. Tickets are $2 and three canned goods or $5 without canned goods and are available in Russell Union Room 2022. ‘The banquet is a unique opportunity for students to experience the inequalities that exist around the world,” Hensley said. ‘The event will be very interactive. Students will get to know each other and hear thoughts on hunger around the world. It is our hope that the banquet impacts those in attendance to become more aware of hunger issues around the world and to do what they can to help end those issues.”

A lunch discussion will be held Wednesday, Oct. 4, at noon in Russell Union Room 2054. Vicki Davis, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Bulloch County, will speak on ‘A World Without Substandard Housing: Future or Fantasy?” Free lunch will be provided.

Also on Wednesday beginning at 7 p.m., a Homelessness Sleep Out will take place in the Russell Union Rotunda area. ‘This event will allow students to experience what those who don’t have home experience,” Hensley said. Students will need to bring their own box and will set up their space to sleep for the night. The movie ‘Rent” will be shown at 8 p.m. near the Russell Union Rotunda and will be followed by a discussion on homelessness across the world.

A second lunch discussion will be held Thursday, Oct. 5, at 12:30 p.m. in Russell Union Room 2052. Marcia Jones, associate vice president in the Office of Institutional Compliance, will speak on ‘We’re Americans! How Can We Be Malnourished?” Free lunch will be provided.

A Habitat for Humanity Work Day will also take place Thursday, Oct. 5, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. To participate, contact Volunteer Services at 912-871-1435. Space is limited.

For more information, contact Volunteer Services at 912-871-1435 or visit the Web site at http://students.georgiasouthern.edu/volunteer.