Going to college in an urban setting like Charleston, we as students see first hand that homelessness is a growing problem in our communities. In Charleston alone, 20% of residents live below the poverty line. Many of these households support children who don't always know where their next meal is coming from.
Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is part of a national week of awareness originally started by the National Coalition for the Homeless as a way to bring awareness to this growing problem in our communities. The College of Charleston Center for Civic Engagement, along with various campus and community partners, host a number of different awareness building and advocacy related programs including documentary screenings, philanthropic drives, social media campaigns, panel discussions, poverty simulations, the Oxfam Hunger Banquet, and direct service opportunities in the Charleston community. National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week is held each year the week before Thanksgiving. This year, events will be held November 17-22, 2014. This is a time for us all to start to think about what we are thankful for, and a perfect time to share our compassion with our neighbors who are experiencing homelessness.
To get involved, or to learn more about how you can help make a difference, visit the Center for Civic Engagement at the College Of Charleston or attend any of the Hunger And Homelessness Awareness Week Events, see calendar below.
Be sure to check out the Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week Closing Picnic and donation drive on Friday, November 21st from 11am-1pm at Barnett Gardens on George street (across from CVS), where the winners of the donation drive and competition will be announced. Enjoy live music from local talented artists Page Fortuna and Chris Wilcox. Bring a picnic blanket and a lunch or enjoy food and coffee provided by Starbucks. A Raffle will be held along with several amazing door prizes. Admission is a school supply donation which goes to the Carolina Youth Development Center.
