Campus groups to mark Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week

Pitt-Bradford will hold events Nov. 13 through 20 in honor of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.

The week will begin with the fourth annual “A Night without a Home” to raise awareness and donations for the homeless. Members of the African-American Student Union will spend the night outside from 7 p.m. Nov. 14 until 7 a.m. Nov. 15 at the outdoor volleyball court on campus, and the public is invited to bring donations of non-perishable food or hygiene items.

The food and hygiene drive is being sponsored by the Student Nurse Organization and Hospitality Management Club. The university's Office of Community Engagement will work with the YWCA, Salvation Army, Destinations Bradford and Friendship Table to determine where donations can be best used.

Students will create “comfort kits” from the hygiene products and sort and organize donations during a “hydration party” for the 30-Hour Famine to be held during the week to raise awareness of hunger and money for World Vision. The 30-Hour Famine is being coordinated by Christ in Action with students from other groups participating as well.

On Monday, Nov. 16, students and members of the public can learn about volunteering with the YWCA's Meals on Wheels at 6 p.m. in Harriett B. Wick Chapel. In addition to drivers, runners are needed to take meals to residents and speed up the delivery process.

Later that evening, at 7:30 p.m. in the Rice Auditorium in Fisher Hall, there will be a panel discussion on world hunger sponsored by the Environmental Studies Club. Panelists are Dr. Om Singh, associate professor of biology; Dr. David Schummer, assistant professor of philosophy; and Dr. Shailendra Gajanan, professor of economics. Dr. Gautam Mukerjee, associate professor of economics will serve as moderator.

Attendees may also bring a non-perishable food item to the panel discussion.

Other projects during the week include assembly food boxes for Cattaraugus (N.Y.) Community Action by the Gold Bar Club. The Pitt-Bradford Staff Association will collect and donate toothbrushes and toothpaste and serve at The Friendship Table, and the Psychology Club will present a computerized poverty simulator.

The Pitt-Bradford Habitat for Humanity will begin preparing for a fundraising event that will benefit both the McKean County affiliate and the international organization. Finally, members of Theta Sigma Delta sorority will help organize the donation closet at the YWCA.