Contact:Ginny Davis(901) 843-3470 or 843-3875
Tyler Stilley or Jennifer Hecker(901) 843-3145
Oct. 8, 2001
Hundreds of Students Will Unite To Address Hunger, Homelessness During Time of National Tragedy
(Memphis, Tenn.)---Students from across the nation will gather at Rhodes College Oct. 18-21 for the 14th Conference on Hunger and Homelessness. About 400 students and activists are expected to attend.
A highlight of the conference will be an address by Rep. Harold Ford Jr. at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, in McCallum Ballroom of the Bryan Campus Life Center.
With the theme "Harvest Solutions," the conference is an annual project of the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness (NSCAHH). It is being organized and hosted by Rhodes students, the Rhodes Kinney Program and Chaplain's Office. The conference will literally put a face on homelessness during one event, in which a panel of current and formerly homeless people will share their personal stories. Facilitator for the panel at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, in the McCallum Ballroom will be Michael Stoops of the National Coalition for the Homeless.
"Every year the conference inspires students to take direct action in the fight against homelessness," said Rhodes senior Kristjen Lundberg, who, with senior Joshua Welter, is a conference organizer. "Students are potentially the most powerful force in furthering positive social change and awareness. By organizing them into a dynamic, effective network, the conference mobilizes students, enabling them to have a direct impact on poverty and its solutions."
In addition to the Faces of Homeless panel, the conference will include workshops, discussion groups and panels, an opportunities fair, an Oxfam America hunger banquet that demonstrates the unequal distribution of resources in the world and a community service project.
Topics for discussion will include the root causes of poverty, rural poverty, faith-based initiatives, urban planning and development and a legislative update.
An opening reception will be at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, in Hardie Auditorium, Palmer Hall. A welcome and opening address to participants will be at 8:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 19, in McCallum Ballroom.
Student Public Interest Research Groups and U.S.A. for Africa established the NSCAHH in 1985. NSCAHH works to increase student service and to sustain a coalition of students and community members working to end hunger and homelessness through service, education and action. Since its inception, it has mobilized thousands of volunteers and raised $1.5 million for hunger and homelessness relief efforts.
The NSCAHH is the largest student network fighting hunger and homelessness in America, with more than 600 participating campuses in 45 states. Visit its Web site at http://www.nscahh.org.
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