PULLMAN, Wash. — Washington State University, the Community Service Learning Center and the Community Action Center will sponsor an educational display as part of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week on Nov. 17, 18, 20 and 21.
Information on hunger and homelessness in Whitman County and Washington state will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the redwood bench in the Compton Union Building on the Pullman campus.
Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week (Nov. 16-22) is a national endeavor to promote education, action and awareness about hunger and homelessness. Students and staff at WSU will have the opportunity to help by “giving up” the cost of something or bringing a canned food donation to the CUB during the week.
“Giving up the cost of a latte can provide nine cans of green beans, or the cost of a large pizza can provide food for a family of four for three days,” said Amy Robbins, program manager at CAC. “We are asking students, faculty and staff at WSU to be aware of the needs of those in our community without a place to sleep and those who go hungry. If each of us give up a little of ourselves, it can make a real difference.”
The Pullman Food Bank has seen a large increase in food bank accesses in the past two years. Families and individuals accessing the food bank increased 31 percent from 2001 to 2002. This year access in the first three quarters increased 33 percent over 2002. From January to September 2003 the food bank was accessed 1,620 times, giving out nearly 85,000 pounds of food.
The event is sponsored in part by WSU, the Community Action Center, WSU Community Service Learning Center, WSU Freshman Seminar, and Teaching and Learning 478. For more information on how to help, contact CAC at (509) 334-9147, CSLC at (509) 335-7708 or visit the CAC Web site at www.cacwhitman.com.
