 "Photo:")
University Ministry kicked off its 31st annual Hunger Week last Thursday, Oct. 21, which will run through Friday, Oct. 29. Daily events are scheduled along with opportunities to donate and get involved around campus. So far, events that have taken place include: Kerry Kennedy speaking, the "Faces of Iraq" presentation, the Hunger Week 5K run/walk and the Sleep Out sponsored by the Agape Community. This year's Hunger Week theme is "Refuse to be a Bystander."
Proceeds benefit many global, national and local agencies such as Concern Worldwide in Sudan, The Nightministry, The Good News Church and Soup Kitchen, in addition to various other agencies.
"[Our theme] is inviting people to first, become aware of what's going on in their own community, in their own state, and in the world, and second, make a difference, using your vote, writing your congressmen or women, using your funds to make a donation or just getting involved and participating in events that are helping others," Nicole Chmela, minister in charge of Hunger Week, said.
Chmela urges students to use this month as a time of thanksgiving for the many gifts that the Loyola community receives, which are often taken for granted.
Human rights activitst Kerry Kennedy kicked off the week on Thursday with an inspiring speech. She used many statistics to support her statements about children's rights, rape and several other issues that affect society today. She also suggested ways that people can help.
Junior Tabitha Ledbetter was impressed by the statistics Kennedy used in her presentation.
"Her facts just blew me away," Ledbetter said. "Her statistics about women, it was really eye-opening."
On Friday evening, photojournalist Jim Harney presented the result of a 10-day excursion into pre-invasion Iraq that proved to be a politically charged event. Students agreed that the presentation offered a different perspective to consider while discussing the issues of the war in Iraq.
"When you look at [Iraq] in the media and read about something like a war, you see the faces of soldiers or you see buildings destroyed but you don't see the people who this has affected," junior Matt Johnson said. "This is their everyday life, and seeing these pictures of people just hanging out outside, having fun, smiling, laughing, shopping, living their life, and now they have a war."
The images displayed had a strong impact on several other members of the audience as well.
"One particular picture had a woman in it that was smiling, and the presenter couldn't understand how she could be smiling in a time where there is so much evil going around," freshmen Laura Berthold said. "But she smiled because she had hope."
The Sleep Out also took place last week. It was a cold night for those who slept outside of Centennial Forum Student Union on Sunday. The few dedicated participants began their evening with a showing of Dark Days, a documentary about homelessness.
"The movie portrayed homeless people living in the [New York] subway level," senior Crystal Page said. "A lot of those people have been living there for what I think is about 15 years, and these people are so poor that they come from a community in a place that no human being deserves to live in."
The Chicago air was frigid that night as the group bravely sat around the St. Ignatius statue. The group members had their own personal reasons for being there, but all were tied together with a common sympathy and regard for humanity.
"I want to work with homeless women, so I think this helps to engage [me] in what's going on and what they actually endure on the streets, just to experience living outside and sleeping outside for the night instead of in my warm cozy bed," Ledbetter said.
The Sleep Out was spearheaded by freshman Matt O'Donnell.
"I really have a passion for working for the poor and changing the system that they live in, and that's something that I really want to do someday," O'Donnell said. "Being a freshman and living in Agape House, these are my first steps in actually doing that."
Hunger Week continued through the school week with Hillel's peanut butter & jelly sandwich preparation on Monday and the social class dinner in Simpson Living and Learning Center last night. The social class dinner vividly illustrated the plight of hunger in our world, with a few participants receiving fine cuisine and the majority eating just enough to sustain themselves for the rest of the day.
Wednesday brings a day of alternative fasting, where a 24-hour fast period will be observed for those who wish to participate. Students are encouraged to fast from things other than food, such as cell phones, shopping or television.
There will be "Soup and Substance" in Lake Shore Dining Room on Thursday. The simple meal costs $6 and can be paid for using a student's dining dollars. The excess money from the less expensive meal of soup and bread will go toward the Hunger Week campaign.
Java Jam closes out Hunger Week in Zipoli's with music by The John Adams 4 and Sons of the Stage. The event is sponsored by Metropolis Coffee Co., Gamma Phi Omega and Southeast Asian Student Association. Aramark agreed to sponsor a donation program for students. Students can fill out forms to donate some of their flex dollars.
There are still plenty of ways to get involved in Hunger Week during the last days of the event. Students can attend the Monster Bash, which includes Halloween aerobic classes, pumpkin painting, caramel apples and spooky movies. By taking part in Hunger Week activities, Loyola students show that they are aware and truly care about the plight of hunger in our world.
"I think it's important to put yourself into an experience that you're not comfortable with so that you know what it's like to be someone else and to realize that someone else's problem is your problem," Johnson said. "Whether or not I have a bed every night, homelessness is still my problem."
Be the first to comment on this article!