Participate and Volunteer for Hunger Awareness Week and with the Seedling Project!

Please consider participating and encouraging students to participate in Hunger Awareness Week events.  We are especially in need of participants for the poverty simulation this year.

For the fourth year in a row, Dr. Melissa Swauger’s Sociology of Family students, the Indiana Community Garden, Indiana County Community Action Program, Inc., Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Zion Lutheran Church, Chevy Chase Community Center, the IUP Food and Nutrition and Anthropology Departments, and the IUP Promising Scholars are co-sponsoring Hunger Awareness Week and the Seedling Project from April 24-28, 2017.  These events have touched hundreds of students and local community members. The partnership continues to grow with new community members, local organizations, and local businesses participating each year. Events include:

Stuff a Van Food Drive- Tuesday, April 25 through Thursday, April 27.  Please bring non-perishable food items and toiletries to the Hub Cul-de-Sac between 9:00am-5:00pm to benefit the Zion Lutheran Church  food pantry.

Film Screening and Panel-Wednesday, April 26 101 McElhaney from 5:00-7:00pm. A Place at the Table tells the powerful stories of three Americans who maintain their dignity even as they struggle just to eat. Panelists will discuss hunger and food insecurity nationally and locally and local programs to combat hunger.

Poverty simulation-Friday, April 28, HUB Ohio Room from 1:00 to approximately 3:00 pm.  Participants must be able to attend for the full time and must register at mswauger@iup.edu (mailto:mswauger@iup.edu) (PARTICIPANTS NEEDED!)

The Library, Ackerman, and McElhaney Hall Window Displays-April 1-30.  The student-designed displays include visual information about Hunger and food insecurity locally and nationally.

Seedling Project- Distributions will occur May 8 at Zion Lutheran Church and May 9 at Chevy Chase Community Center.  The primary objective of the Seedling Project is to provide approximately 150 low income families access to supplies to grow their own produce.  If you would like to donate or volunteer on distribution days, please contact Melissa Swauger at mswauger@iup.edu ( mailto:mswauger@iup.edu).