Monday, Oct 25, 2011
Baton Rouge, La
OXFAM Hunger Banquet
LSU hosted the Second Annual Oxfam Hunger Banquet on October 24, 2011, at 7 p.m. in the Union Atchafalaya Room. The program was co-sponsored by Kitchens on the Geaux at LSU and LSU Homecoming, both organizations within LSU Campus Life.
A hunger banquet brings to life the inequalities of the world in an interactive and empowering event. Participants randomly received a high income, middle income or low income meal. They were then invited to discuss their experiences, as well as both both local and global poverty. Attendees also learned more about local efforts to address poverty.
The event was free but suggested admission was 1-2 cans of food to be donated to the Homecoming Committee’s CANapalooza food drive benefitting the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank.
The Hunger Banquet had 81 participants, 21 volunteers, and 5 community agency representatives in attendance. Community organizations represented included the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank and Louisiana Public Broadcasting. The event collected a total of 104 cans for the LSU Homecoming CANapalooza food drive.
Dr. Annrose Guarino, Associate Professor within the Department of Nutrition and Health, was the keynote speaker. She explained some of the main causes of hunger include “poverty, powerlessness, gender discrimination, environmental degradation, militarism, and natural disasters.” Among the many surprising statistics was that 50% of children participate in a USDA Nutritional Assistance Program, a national program providing free school lunches.
The Oxfam Hunger Banquet was held on October 24 to coincide with Food Day, an effort by Americans from all walks of life to raise awareness about food related issues such as obesity, hunger and promotion of healthy foods. For more information visit www.foodday.org.
One in seven people go to bed hungry every night. Around the world, poverty is growing at an astonishing rate. Social injustices along with the recent economic downturn are increasing this number every day.
Kitchens on the Geaux uses service as a tool to increase awareness of food insecurity in the Baton Rouge area. It also aims to serve nourishing meals to in-need populations through food rescue efforts.
LSU Homecoming plans activities during Homecoming week between November 6 and 13, 2011. These activities include a pep rally, parade, Homecoming Court, and CANapalooza food drive and can structure building.
