By: Maylee Vazquez, marketing graduate assistant, Division of Student Affairs
Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week (Nov. 18-23) will provide learning and volunteer opportunities to the UNC Charlotte community.
“I believe these events afford a wonderful cross section for students to be able to learn about hunger and homelessness in Charlotte while also being provided the opportunity to network with local influential leaders in the Charlotte community,” said Mikala Harvey, assistant director of Leadership & Community Engagement in the Division of Student Affairs. “My hope is that students will leave the events with many connections and inspired to make change.”
Students and employees can assist in raising awareness by participating in events that foster more-in depth discussions on combating hunger and homelessness within the community.
Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week programming will include:
- Swipe Out Hunger donation tables will be set up each day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in front of SoVi and Crown Commons dining halls. Swipe Out Hunger is UNC Charlotte’s meal share program that allows students to donate extra meals and declining balance that would otherwise go unused. Meals are reallocated to students in need. Students experiencing food insecurity who need to utilize the Swipe Out Hunger Program can complete an assessment with Student Assistance and Support Services. If eligible, students will receive meal swipes or declining balance swipes on their 49er ID cards
- On Monday, Nov. 18, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Norm’s in Popp Martin Student Union, program participants will be given pieces of cardboard to write quotes and statistics about hunger and homelessness. Pieces created at the event will be displayed around campus to spread awareness
- On Tuesday, Nov. 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. in Popp Martin Student Union, Room 340A-C, volunteers will create care packages for the Hospitality House of Charlotte
- At 6 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 20, in the Cone University Center, McKnight Hall, students and staff will hear from five prominent leaders in the Charlotte community about what they’re doing to combat issues of hunger and homelessness
- On Thursday, Nov. 21, from 6 to 8 p.m., volunteers will work at Second Harvest Bank
- On Friday, Nov. 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Alpha Tau Omega will host Operation Sandwich at the Jamil Niner Student Pantry. Volunteers and the brothers of ATO will work together to make and package hundreds of sandwiches to donate to Urban Ministry Center. Volunteers will learn about the Jamil Niner Student Pantry, which provides resources for students in need, and about the importance of volunteering in their communities
- On Saturday, Nov. 23, from 9 a.m. to noon, volunteers will sort furniture and donated items at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore located at 1133 N. Wendover Road.
Email Mikala Harvey (mharve17@uncc.edu) with questions on how to volunteer.
This article originally appeared in Inside UNC Charlotte.