Hunger and homelessness are two issues that affect countless individuals across the globe. The week of November 11-19 is nationally known as Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.
The National Coalition for the Homeless and The National Student Campaign against Hunger and Homelessness sponsor this nationwide event every year with the goal of generating awareness and promoting volunteer opportunities.
Here at SNHU, The Center for Community Engaged Learning (CCEL) is sponsoring a series of events throughout this week that highlight the struggles of those experiencing hunger and homelessness. SNHU has been celebrating this week since the center’s inception in 2006.
Beth Anderson, a SNHU alumna and Americorps Vista for the Center for Community Engaged Learning, is one of the driving forces behind bringing this week to SNHU.
The first event of the week is the Faces of Homelessness Panel, which is being held on Monday, November 13 at 6 p.m. in ACC Learning Commons 101. This is an eye-opening opportunity for students to hear from individuals who have experienced homelessness firsthand as well as those who are currently fighting it.
On Tuesday, International Student Services will be looking for volunteers from 12:30-2:30 p.m. in Green Center 102A to make blankets for Child and Family services. There will also be a screening of “A Place at the Table,” a thought provoking documentary film told from the point of view of three people dealing with food insecurity, happening from 5-7 p.m. in Hospitality Salons A and B.
On Wednesday, the Manchester YWCA (Young Women’s Christian Association) is presenting a domestic violence shelter simulation. “The YWCA is amazing,” said Anderson. “They run a lot of great programs. Their mission is to eliminate racism and empower women.”
A series of service projects will conclude the week. On Thursday, students can volunteer to deliver groceries through Caregivers, an organization that seeks to assist the elderly and disabled. More information can be found about this service project through CCEL, either by visiting their office in the Green Center or via email at serve@snhu.edu.
Anderson is particularly excited about Friday’s event, Rise Against Hunger. “Rise Against Hunger is the most popular event of the week,” she shared. “It used to be called ‘Stop Hunger Now.’” Volunteers are needed to assemble meal kits that will be sent around the world and can participate by joining CCEL staff members and SNHU volunteers in the Miles Room at 9-11 p.m.
The final event of the week is the NH Food Bank Drop Off. Students will aid the NH Food Bank with their deliveries. “We are going to organize the food and get our hands dirty,” said Anderson. Students will also be able to donate money from their meal plan to the food bank throughout the entire week.
Participating in Hunger and Homelessness Awareness week presents an opportunity for students to devote some time to assist those in need and to educate themselves about a topic that affects millions of people worldwide.
Participating in a Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week event or service project? Take a photo and tag us @PenmenPress on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, so we can share the amazing work of the SNHU Community!
