Mars Hill University will recognize Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, November 14-21, with a series of events designed to both raise awareness and contribute to organizations who address these issues locally.
Daniel Nelson, one of the students organizing the events, said: “I think it’s important to recognize Hunger and Homelessness Week at MHU because we’re often unaware of just how many people have been affected by issues surrounding food insecurity and homelessness. People on this campus and in the community very near to this campus have been faced with these struggles and we may not even know it.”
Below is a listing of the events planned:
November 14, beginning at 10 am: Lions Against Hunger Food Drive Bag Distribution in the Mars Hill community. Students will distribute bags throughout the community. Recipients are encouraged to fill the bags with nonperishable food items for Neighbors in Need, an organization in Marshall which works to provide food for families in crisis in Madison County.
November 15, 3 pm: Students will host a corn-hole tournament on the Upper Quad, for which the entrance fee is one canned food item per two-person team. The canned food items will go to Neighbors in Need.
November 16, 7 pm: Belk Auditorium, Screening of “The Homestretch,” a documentary about homelessness in Chicago. Showing of the film is sponsored by CAB and the Center for Community Engagement. The public is welcome.
November 17, 7 pm: Redway Dining Hall – Oxfam America Hunger Banquet. This is a unique role play event in which the place where you sit, and the meal that you eat, are determined by the luck of the draw–just as in real life, some are born into relative prosperity and others into poverty. Entrance to the event is $1, or a nonperishable food item. The public is welcome.
November 18, beginning at 8:30 pm: Homeless on the Hill, beginning at 8:30 PM. Students will experience homelessness for a night. The event will take place behind Broyhill Chapel.
November 19, 3 pm -7:30 pm: Student Service Project with YMCA’s nutrition and food program.
November 21, beginning at noon: Conclusion of the Lions Against Hunger Food Drive Food Collection. Students will return to homes where they left bags the previous week to pick up any food items donated.
All week: Students and Faculty/Staff will participate in the Project Clean Plate Campaign to Cut Down on Food Waste in Cafeteria.
