One in six Americans face hunger daily. This alarming statistic is what motivated the Shippensburg University PRSSA Project Share Committee to host a hunger awareness week on campus.

In March the committee conducted a survey measuring student’s awareness of hunger issues. Most students surveyed were not aware of the sheer number of people facing hunger locally and nationally or the severity of the issue. This prompted the committee to not only host a food drive this semester, but to integrate awareness by promoting the campaign “one in six”.

During hunger awareness week, April 15th to the 19th, the committee advocated issues of hunger across campus. Fliers containing facts about hunger were hung in every building, notifying students of the food drive taking place during the week, and donation boxes were placed at secretaries’ offices.

While advocating hunger in classrooms, the committee asked students to imagine every sixth student representing a person that was facing hunger. The committee also promoted the campaign at decked out orange awareness tables in the Cub and in front of the Library.

Students that stopped by received an orange “one in six” wrist band, picked up educational material, and were encouraged wear orange on Thursday to support hunger awareness. The committee met their goal of raising awareness and hosting a successful food drive. They were pleased to see some donations boxes overflowing with non-perishable food items.

The committee was thankful for all of the students and faculty who participated in hunger awareness week by wearing orange, rocking the wrist bands, stopping by the awareness tables and donating items. All the non-perishable food items collected during awareness week will be delivered to Project Share. Another way students can support this organization is to buy punch cards for RaiderFest. All funds raised from RaiderFest this year will be donated to Project Share. For more information on Project Share or hunger awareness advocacy visit www.projectshare.net.

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