UK Participates in National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 11, 2015) — Join together to make a positive impact on the Lexington community by participating in National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week Nov. 14-22. 

National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week (NHHAW) is held each year the week prior to Thanksgiving. During this time, this national social movement encourages people to share compassion with neighbors who are experiencing homelessness and hunger. For more information on this movement, vist the National Coalition for the Homeless. 

The Center for Community Outreach organizes this week to promote active citizenship and experiential education activities that engage the University of Kentucky and the greater Lexington community on issues related to hunger and homelessness.  Through direct service, advocacy and interaction with individuals who have experienced hunger and homelessness, National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week provides an opportunity to build awareness of the social and economic conditions that promote poverty globally and locally.

Throughout the week, donations will be collected for the annual Thanksgiving Basket Drive.  This drive eases the worry of those who may struggle to provide a traditional Thanksgiving dinner to their families. UK hopes to provide more than 200 Lexington families with dinner this year. For more information regarding what the baskets consist of, visit the CCO website.

This effort is made possible through the support of The Campus Kitchen at the University of Kentucky, the UK Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences, WRFL Radio and the Center for Community Outreach,

UK will be taking part in this week of awareness by offering the following events:

Sunday, Nov. 15:  Bowls Night will be hosted at the LexArts Artsplace (161 N. Mill Street) from 6 to 9 p.m.  This event will serve as the official kick-off of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week and activities will include live music and a complementary soup dinner.  Participants will be able to purchase a ceramic bowl in support of local community organizations working to alleviate homelessness and will receive free homemade soup from Campus Kitchens. Any proceeds from the sales of the ceramic bowls will go toward the Catholic Action Center.

Monday, Nov.16:  The Faces of Homelessness Panel will be taking place in Room 203 of The 90 from 6 to 8 p.m.  At this event, members of the Streetvoice Council will be discussing the experiences they have had with homelessness, as well as Josh Nadzam and Casey Yohe who lived without a home until they were able to raise $3,000 for the Catholic Action Center (you can read more about their story here).

Tuesday, Nov. 17: UK Campus Service Day will be held in Room 207 of The 90 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.  During this event, NHHAW will be collaborating with Wrap Up America to host a blanket making event.

Wednesday, Nov. 18: The OXFAM Hunger Banquet will be taking place from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the King Alumni House (400 Rose Street).  The OXFAM Hunger Banquet will be a Global Hunger simulation in order to teach both the students and the Lexington community alike the realities of hunger on both a local and a global scale.  Free food will also be provided. 

Thursday, Nov. 19:  The NHHAW Community Service Day will allow students to have the option to serve at one of the multiple different venues throughout Lexington, including the Hope Center.  If students are not going to any of the venues they will be distributing blankets around the city to those in need of them.  Students can sign up here.

Friday, Nov. 20: Friday will be the deadline for the Thanksgiving Basket Drive.  Thanksgiving Baskets will be accepted any day throughout the week but Friday will be the last day to accept them.  They can be delivered to the Center for Community Outreach Office, Room 361 in Blazer Hall (343 S. Martin Luther King Blvd).

For more information about National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, contact Adam Douglas at nhhaw@ukcco.org.

Other student organizations that focus on help for the homeless include Wrap Up America, UK's chapter of Habitat for Humanity, Oxfam Club, Big Blue Pantry and Students Helping Honduras.

MEDIA CONTACT: Katy Bennett or Rebecca Stratton, katy.bennett@uky.edu or rebecca.stratton@uky.edu, (859) 257-1909/(859) 323-2395