News Highlights

Students line up for Hunger and Homelessness Week

More than 500 students are involved in Hunger and Homelessness Week, in projects ranging from Turkey Palooza to Bowling 4 Beans.

2007-11-09
By Robb Murray, Free Press Staff Writer [published in The Free Press, Mankato, MN, 11/9/2007]

When asked how many students are involved in National Hunger and Homelessness Week activities, Sammie Eckerson paused to ponder the number. You’re thinking, a dozen? Perhaps 30 or 40? Fifty, tops.

“I would say,” Eckerson says, “ that there are no less than 500 students involved.”

There are a handful of classes doing full- class proj­ects in conjunction with the event, 300 students signed up through service learning opportunities and a smatter­ing of random volunteers.

This is big.

“This is kind of our main event for the year,” said Eckerson, who works with the Campus Kitchens program at Minnesota State University’s Student Leadership Development and Service Learning office. “We do a lot during national hunger week.”

Why?

“It is an issue that is preva­lent in our area,” she said. “Nineteen percent of Mankato is impoverished and living in poverty.”

Eckerson said many of the students who come to the office to volunteer have never interacted with the homeless or hungry before. Working with Campus Kitchens, she said, gives them lessons they can’t get in a classroom.

“A lot of people come here and never leave the bubble of college life,” she said. “ We need to combat the stereo­types. They are not people purposely living like this. They want to grow and get better.”

Delivering meals to and meeting families — especially families with children — is a powerful learning tool, Eckerson said.

Events abound for National Hunger and Homelessness Week. Visit mnsu. edu and click on Student Life for an event listing.

A few highlights:

• Bowling 4 Beans — 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in the MSU Gameroom. Kids bowl free with three canned food items.
• 5K Cans for a Cause — 8:30 a.m. Sunday at Myers Field House. Bring a can per K.
• Jail N Bail For Hunger — 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday in MSU’s Centennial Student Union Purple Room.
• Camping for a Cause — Midnight to noon Wednesday on the MSU mall.
• Pancake breakfast — Nov. 17 at Applebee’s. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the door.
• Turkey Palooza — Week of Thanksgiving. Donate $50 to sponsor a family by pro­viding them with a turkey dinner with extra groceries for the long holiday weekend. Donations needed by Nov. 13 to Campus Kitchens, CSU room 173, or call 389-6076.

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