October is Hunger Awareness Month at KU


LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas has announced a series of events to mark Hunger Awareness Month and support efforts to boost food and nutrition security in the campus and local communities.

Coordinated by KU Fights Hunger, the series features events organized by student organizations, departments and faculty members aimed at educating the campus community about the root causes of hunger. Member of the campus and Lawrence communities can get involved by donating to a campuswide food drive, eating at certain campus locations and shopping at the KU Bookstore.

A full list of KU Hunger Awareness Month events and activities is available at the KU Fights Hunger webpage.

The hallmark event of Hunger Awareness Month is the third annual KU Hunger Summit, a forum for students, faculty, staff and community members to discuss food and nutrition security. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 28 at The Commons in Spooner Hall. 

Earlier that week, KU Fights Hunger will team up with local advocates and entrepreneurs to present a panel discussion about bettering the community through business. “Doing Good is Good Business”  at 7 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Lawrence Public Library will introduce a movement toward a business model that not only turns a profit but benefits people and the planet as well. 

Donations for the Campus Food Drive will go to Just Food and its more than 40 partner organizations across Douglas County, including the Campus Cupboard, a food pantry operated at the Lutheran Campus Ministry building in partnership with the KU Center for Community Outreach. Through Oct. 31, Jayhawks can drop off donations of nonperishable food items at one of the drop-off locations on campus. Participants can also make monetary donations with Just Food’s online donation form.

“We are excited to have had more than 25 campus locations volunteer to host a donation bin this year, including nearly every school on the Lawrence campus,” said Jeff Severin, director of the KU Center for Sustainability and president of KU Fights Hunger. "With this support, we hope to surpass the 1,500 pounds of food collected in 2015.

Visit hunger.ku.edu for a list of food items most needed for donation and to view the Hunger Awareness Month calendar of events.

Tue, 10/04/2016

author

Kim Criner

Media Contacts

Kimberly Criner

Center for Sustainability

785-864-0783