From Nov. 15 through Nov. 21, Missouri Western’s Center for Multicultural Education will be hosting a full calendar of events in support of National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week (NHHAW).

CME Student Development Program Coordinator Sandy Rodgers describes how these events will allow people to see how real and important the less fortunate people of St. Joseph are.

“Unless we are concerned or know someone in this situation, it’s usually silent,” Rodgers said. “We don’t know someone’s hungry when we see people interact with our daily lives. We don’t know someone’s homeless. This is to bring to everyone’s attention that it is there. There are things we can do about it.”

These events includes two major days that include various volunteering among the student population. The first day is Friday, Nov. 20, where students will build homes out of cardboard boxes and spend the night outside to raise awareness and respect of those who do not have shelter. The second day is Sat., Nov. 21., where students will go to various communities and volunteer from 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. Then, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., they will prepare a meal for the homeless shelter called Juda House.

Rodgers also how all students can help by donating and notifying others.
“Volunteer,” Rodgers said. “Go to the open door food kitchen and help Second Harvest. Come anytime and donate food or money. Be aware and talk to others about it.”

There are many people in St. Joseph who are starving and homeless.

“It’s very shocking in the St. Joseph community that anyone is hungry,” Rodgers said. “[In addition], there are so many reasons with the bad economy that people are losing their homes. It’s terrible and it’s appalling.”

Junior and member of the Multicultural Institute, an organization within CME, Lindsey Morales, feels that people become unaware of the hungry and homeless because they are unaware of St. Joseph’s big environment.

“I really think that [this event] would benefit our campus because most people don’t go off campus,” Morales said. “They don’t realize how big St. Joseph really is. I was unaware before this event. It’s really shocking.”

Western Senior and member of the Student African American Brotherhood organization, antoher CME organization, Joseph Franklin, feels that it will make the Missouri Western campus more appreciative.

“It will make people appreciate what they have,” Franklin said. “They will realize that not everything is given to them and you sometimes have to work for what you have. It will also get more people’s attention.”

CME also plans to use this event as a gateway for people to understand their organization. CME has numerous small organizations that are all embracing diversity and seeking a true appreciation of all races. Morales clarifies how the CME works.

CME member and NHHAW organizer, student Sarah Allee believes it will be a good experience as well.

“I hope CME is going to gain attraction and more notice [as] one of the hardest working offices on campus,” Allee said.