UK Commemorates National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 16, 2011) – The University of Kentucky is joining more than 500 colleges and universities across the country to commemorate National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. Activities are happening every day this week, in locations across campus, and culminate with a simulation of a cardboard village on Haggin Field. This week is sponsored by the Center for Community Outreach.
Monday featured the "Faces of Hunger and Homelessness Fair." At the fair, students learned about the different “faces” of hunger and homelessness through educational posters created by CCO programs, student organizations and community partners. Tuesday, Students Taking Action Globally promoted the ONE Campaign, an educational campaign to help end child hunger in Somalia, and they filled backpacks with food and school supplies for children from underprivileged families served by the Kentucky Refugee Ministries.
A complete list of activities for the rest of this week is below. For more information, contact Sara Antel, CCO director of Education and Advocacy, at educationadvocacy@ukcco.org or (859) 257-9385.
Wednesday, Nov. 16
Oxfam Hunger Banquet
On Wednesday, Nov. 16, the CCO will host an Oxfam Hunger Banquet. Come eat and learn more about who goes hungry and who gets to eat. Following the dinner, Dr. Yoko Kusunose will be the keynote speaker. This event is free, but make sure to reserve your free ticket in advance at the CSI Front Desk, 106 Student Center, because seating is limited.
For more information, contact Sara Antel, CCO Director of Education and Advocacy, at educationadvocacy@ukcco.org or (859) 257-9385.
Thursday, Nov. 17
Catholic Action Center Tabling
Helping Hands, housed within the CCO, will host a table from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, on the Student Center Patio to promote awareness of the Catholic Action Center’s programs and services. Come and learn more about the CAC and its programs and services including a petition to support the CAC, which may be in jeopardy due to neighbor complaints and proposed legislation. Stop by our table or volunteer to help staff our table.
Fair Housing Panel
Helping Hands will host a Fair Housing Panel at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, in 230 Student Center, to educate UK students about issues affecting fair housing policies in the Lexington community. Recent events surrounding the Catholic Action Center will also be reviewed and discussed. Panelists will include representatives of the CAC, community and university.
For more information, contact Kayla Nichelson, CCO director of Helping Hands, at helpinghands@ukcco.org or (859) 257-9385.
Friday, Nov. 18
Cardboard Village Simulation
Sign up to participate in the Cardboard Village and learn what it’s like to be homeless for one night. At Cardboard Village, UK students will build their homes for the night out of cardboard and duct tape only, and then sleep overnight on Haggin Field to experience homelessness. Dinner and water will be provided so students are discouraged from bringing other food, but students are encouraged to bring sleeping bags and warm blankets as it will be cold. This event is an overnight event that lasts from 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, through 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 19. To participate, you must register in advance by Wednesday, Nov. 16, but this is a free event! Participating students and groups will have the chance to win gift cards, so register now!
For more information, contact Kayla Nichelson, CCO director of Helping Hands, at helpinghands@ukcco.org or (859) 257-9385.
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.