Volunteer ETSU will host a Hunger Banquet on Thursday, Nov. 20 at 8 p.m. as part of Oxfam America’s “Fast for a World Harvest” campaign.
The banquet, which will be during National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, is designed to heighten awareness on how disproportionate the world’s food supply is and to educate people on how they can make a difference.
“Volunteer ETSU works to provide service opportunities. Part of that is education and making the community aware,” said Joy Fulkerson, coordinator for community service programs at the Center for Student Life and Leadership.
Although the event is called a banquet, the real focus is not on the food. In fact, the majority of those attending will have only rice to eat.
Participants will be randomly divided into groups of low, middle and high class, which represent the world’s major resource divisions.
Each respective class will be served a meal that corresponds with its financial status.
About 15 percent of the participants will be served a gourmet meal, 25 percent will be served rice and beans and the remaining 60 percent will be served only rice.
“Our ultimate goal is that participants will feel inspired, moved and motivated to go out and serve those who are less fortunate,” Fulkerson said.
Students and community members alike are invited to attend the banquet. Fulkerson would like to have 300 or more attend.
Volunteer ETSU would like each participant to bring three to five cans of food or a cash donation as admission at the door. Proceeds of the banquet will go to Second Harvest Food Bank.
However, Fulkerson said that the donations are just a side benefit to Volunteer ETSU’s main goal.
“If participants take the time to stop and think about other people, who they are and they have they will realize there are those less fortunate,” Fulkerson said.
Volunteer ETSU is still putting the final touches together for the banquet but Fulkerson said it will probably be similar to those in the past.
There will be at least one speaker and maybe a film or skits. Fulkerson also said they are looking for other campus organizations that would like to get involved.
For more information about the banquet, call (423) 439-4254.

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