“Shack” project returns to the campus green, 24 hours a day, Nov. 17-21
WASHINGTON, D.C. – November 18, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — “We’re good at responding to global issues–global awareness is excellent at Saint Michael’s,” said Heidi St. Peter, director of volunteer services at the college. “But right around the corner things are difficult for local families, and we must respond to them as well,” she said.
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The college is hosting Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, Nov. 17 to 21, for at least the 20th year in a row, to make sure that local needs are shown to the community as well as well as global needs. The week includes cooking, knitting, fasting, and learning, and the always very popular “shack” project, as a hallmark.
Shack project sponsored by SMC Habitat for Humanity
Students sign-up to spend a few hours or overnight in the shack situated in the middle of the campus green, Nov. 17 to 21, to experience a small sample of having no place to go home. Other area colleges have adopted this technique that Saint Michael’s founded, to educate students to a bit of the reality of homelessness.
“More than 1,000 families are currently ‘homeless’ in VT while 1 in 8 VT households are food insecure (13% of households). Join the effort, participate in programs, and get informed,” stated the invitation to students to participate in the week of activities, which include the following:
Sunday, Nov. 17, 7 pm, Mass to remember those who experience hunger and homelessness. Chapel of St. Michael the Archangel.
Monday, Nov. 18, 5 pm, Cook n’ Food, Serve dinner at Canal Street Veterans’ Home
Tuesday, Nov. 19, 12 noon, Knitting Club – Knit hats and mittens for those in need. Library 246;
5 p.m. Baked Love’s 24-Hour Fast begins (sign up at the information table in Alliot)
Wednesday, Nov. 20, 5 pm, Baked Love’s Break-the-Fast Dinner, Eddie’s Lounge, Alliot. Guest speakers from the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf & COTS.
5:30–8 pm, Dismas House Phonathon (dinner included), Hall of Fame Room, Tarrant Center
6 pm, Cause for Paws: Collect and bag pet food for the Food Shelf
Thursday, Nov. 21, 5:30–8 pm, Dismas House Phonathon (dinner included), Hall of Fame Room, Tarrant Center
5:30 pm, Family Friends – Volunteer at COTS’ Main Street Family Shelter
8:30 pm Closing Vigil Outside the Shack
Other events throughout the week:
Informational Table in Alliot Lobby where students are invited to sign up for the 24-hour Fast, learn about hunger and homelessness in Vermont and the world, sign a letter to advocate for policy change. Hunger statistics are posted throughout campus, and canned food is being collected in the volunteer service office.
Contact:
Buff Lindau
(802) 654-2536
blindau (at) smcvt (dot) edu
