National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week Observed at UK

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 12, 2012) — The University of Kentucky is joining colleges and universities across the country to commemorate National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. Activities are happening every day this week and culminate with a simulation of a cardboard village on the front lawn of the Student Center. This week is sponsored by the Center for Community Outreach (CCO).

This is the second year the CCO has observed National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.  Events include a Faces of Hunger and Homelessness Fair; an Oxfam Hunger Awareness Banquet; service events to aid the hungry and homeless; and the overnight homeless experience.

Kamla Jones, AmeriCorps VISTA advisor with the CCO, says this is a good experience for students because they get the opportunity to see how hunger and homelessness affects them or someone they know. 

"Students will be taught about the different ways hunger and homelessness affects students, professionals, veterans, animals and much more," Jones said.  "The Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Banquet and Sleep Out for the Homeless are two events we are going to use to teach students about some of the things a homeless person might experience.  We hope students will learn that hunger and homelessness are issues we can all work together to alleviate one day, and students can help 'be the change.'”

A complete list of activities for the week is below. For more information, contact Kayla Nichelson, CCO director of Helping Hands, at helpinghands@ukcco.org or (859) 257-9385.  You can also stop by the CCO office at 106 Student Center. Please register for events at http://tinyurl.com/hungerandhomelessness.

Monday Nov. 12:

Faces of Hunger and Homelessness Fair

11 a.m.-2 p.m. Student Center Patio

This is an educational fair that will give students the opportunity to learn how hunger and homelessness effects campus and the surrounding community. Various student organizations and community organizations will have displays.

Oxfam Hunger Awareness Banquet

6-8 p.m. Small Ballroom, Student Center 

As part of the CCO’s mission to serve, connect and unite the University of Kentucky with the surrounding community through collaborative efforts to promote lifelong community service, the CCO is hosting a Hunger Awareness Banquet.  This event is free to students and anyone else who would like to attend.  There will be free food and a guest speaker discussing policy issues related to hunger.  Seats are limited; please pick up a ticket at the information desk in the CCO office, 106 Student Center.  This is a Tally Cats event.

Tuesday Nov. 13:

God’s Pantry Event

6:30-8:30 p.m. 

Students will go to God’s Pantry food bank and help organize foods and other items that have been donated by local stores. Students are asked to bring socks to be donated to the Hope Center. Anyone needing a ride can meet at Student Center parking lot by the ATMs.

Wednesday Nov. 14:

"The Line" Documentary Screening

6-8 p.m., Center for Student Involvement, Student Center

"The Line" documentary follows four individuals who have been affected by hunger and homelessness due to the economy.  This documentary talks about their everyday struggles and how some of the individuals have had to make complete 180 degree turns to their lives.

Thursday Nov. 15:

Wrap-Up Homelessness with Wrap Up America

6-9 p.m., Center for Student Involvement, Student Center

UK partners with Wrap-Up America by making blankets that will be distributed to the homeless around the Lexington area.

Friday Nov. 16:

Sleep Out for the Homeless

5 p.m., Student Center Front Lawn

Students will get the opportunity to experience what some of the homeless population go through on a daily basis. Students will sleep outside in cardboard huts with only things needed for the night (sleeping bag, pillow, blankets). Students are encouraged not to bring electronics.  The CCO will provide the cardboard, soup and light breakfast Saturday morning. Throughout the night there will be a guest speaker, food and movie.

The CCO seeks to serve, connect and unite the University of Kentucky with the surrounding community in collaborative efforts to promote life-long community service. For more information about the CCO, visit getinvolved.uky.edu/cco. Connect with the CCO on Facebook here and on Twitter at twitter.com/ukcco.