SRU Student Nonprofit Alliance putting ‘IZE’ on hunger

Nov. 1, 2016

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - The Student Nonprofit Alliance at Slippery Rock University will host its fourth annual "Hunger Banquet" from 6-7:30 p.m., Nov. 14, in the Smith Student Center Ballroom, to raise awareness and mobilize support in the fight against hunger.

The banquet is part of SNA's "IZE on Hunger" event that runs Nov. 10-17 with a variety of events focusing on hunger and challenging the SRU community to "realIZE that hunger is not what is seems; empathIZE with those affected by hunger; and mobilIZE to break the cycle."

The meal will be based on the Oxfam dinner, an interactive event focusing on the issue of hunger, said Alice Del Vecchio, SRU assistant professor of interdisciplinary programs and director of SRU's Nonprofit Management Program. The buffet will include stations featuring popular U.S. college foods.

Proceeds from ticket sales - and cash donations the evening of the event - will go to benefit the Slippery Rock School District Weekend Food Program. The program, launched in 2014, serves approximately 45 students - ages 5 to 14 - each Friday during the school year.

"The program was started as a means to assist some of the very neediest families in our school district," said Alfonso Angelucci, superintendent, Slippery Rock Area School District. "We aim to provide low-prep, shelf-stable food to families who are defined as 'food insecure' by the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. Students who are food insecure are students who do not know what, when or if they will be eating on the weekends. We are hopeful that the extra food will help them to be more focused at school which will in turn aid in their achievement."

The program operates solely on the donations of supporters in the community. The SRSD does not accept donated food, but rather purchases the food through its school district food service provider so that it meets USDA guidelines and also complies with all National School Lunch Program guidelines.

It costs approximately $7.50 per weekend food bag, with the SRSD sending 25 bags out each weekend. Examples of the items received in each bag include: pasta, pasta sauce, cereal bowl packs, breakfast bars, bread slices, jelly, bottled water, fruit bowls and applesauce.

"The SNA has been very beneficial in raising awareness to a very real social issue which impacts children right here in Butler County," said Angelucci. "The students and instructors have gone beyond learning about the issue to actively supporting the program through fundraising efforts. We are very appreciative of everything they have done."

Last year's banquet event raised more than $450 which provided 60 weekend meals.

   DEL VECCHIO

"The Hunger Banquet is designed to start the conversation/buzz about food on the campus - realizing hunger is an important issue, empathizing with the children who are food insecure, and mobilizing to do something about it," said Del Vecchio.

"In addition to the buffet meal, those in attendance will have the opportunity to spend time with like-minded people, learn more about hunger in our region and hear what organizations are doing to change the current reality."

According to the GPCFB, more than 26 percent of persons in Butler County are food insecure.

"No one chooses to not have food," said Del Vecchio. "What we're trying to do through these events is bring together educated people who can help others by providing resources to make them successful."

Other events planned for the IZE campaign include:

• Greek Life and Academic Department Penny Wars (Nov. 1-14): SRU fraternities, sororities and academic departments will be collecting pennies and other loose change in a battle to see who can collect the most money to defeat hunger. All proceeds support the Slippery Rock School District Weekend Food Program.
• A Mountain of Meals (Nov. 10-17): Residence Hall students will compete against one another to see which building can collect the most canned goods. Proceeds will benefit the Feed My Sheep holiday food basket program.
• Skip A Meal Pledge (Nov. 10-14): SNA members will be passing out "Skip a Meal" pledge cards so that fellow students can pledge to skip a meal in support of those individuals who skip more meals each week then they should have to. All pledge cards will be posted at the Hunger Banquet in support of those battling hunger.
• Cooking Up a Difference (Nov. 10-17): Join SNA in making, delivering and serving meals to the homeless and hungry in Butler County. For additional information on this event, contact Amanda Wemette at acw1007@sru.edu.
• IZE at the Movies and The Great Give-A-Damn Bake sale (5-8 p.m., Nov. 10, Eisenberg Classroom Building auditorium): A viewing of the film, "A Place at the Table," followed by a post-viewing roundtable discussion on what the SRU community can do to battle hunger. Proceeds from the bake sale support the Slippery Rock School District Weekend Food Program.
• IZE Carnival in the Suite (12:30-2 p.m., Nov. 15, The Suite): Information tables, games and activities to raise awareness about - and funds to fight - hunger. A poster contest will be sponsored by The Art Society at which students will be asked to vote for the poster that best motivates them to help in the fight against hunger. Those who vote will be entered to win a Starbucks gift card.

Tickets for the Hunger Banquet are priced at $5 for students and $20 for non-students. Only 125 tickets are available and will be available for purchase Nov. 3, 8 and 10 during Common Hour outside of Starbucks in the Smith Student.

MEDIA CONTACT: Robb King | 724.738.2199 | robert.king@sru.edu