News release from the University of Saint Francis:
Sixth USF Feeds the Fort combines with Hunger and Homelessness Month projects
(August 22, 2013) – The University of Saint Francis faculty, staff and students will continue their battle against hunger and homelessness when they kick off the sixth annual USF Feeds the Fort food drive on Monday, Sept. 16. A number of other university-sponsored activities will recognize National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month in November.
USF launched the food drive to fill a critical need in the city’s food banks and soup kitchens and to help the hungry and those who feed them during these tough economic times. The drive wraps up on Nov. 19, when trucks carry food donations from the university’s North Campus to local churches and organizations to distribute to the hungry in time for the holidays.
Barrels will be placed across the USF campus—in academic and administrative buildings, dormitories and athletic facilities—to receive donations from the university and local communities.
Food banks and kitchens especially need rice, beans, canned foods, prepared boxed foods, canned meats, peanut butter, canned pasta sauce and powdered milk. Glass containers will not be accepted.
Those wishing to make monetary donations should make checks out to one of the following: Community Harvest Food Bank, 999 E. Tillman Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46816; St. Mary’s Soup Kitchen, 1101 Lafayette St., Fort Wayne, IN 46802; or Associated Churches of Fort Wayne, 602 E. Wayne St., Fort Wayne, IN 46802.
For information, contact Sister Anita Holzmer, OSF, food drive coordinator, at (260) 399-7700, ext. 6705.
In addition to the food drive, the university’s Office of Student Life and Center for Franciscan Life will co-sponsor a month of events to help the campus community learn more about the lives and needs of local residents who are hungry and homeless.
Friday, Nov. 1 will bring the Fort Wayne Rescue Mission Experience at 7 p.m., when the facility transfers registered staff and students to the mission for dinner, a tour and conversation with clients who receive services. From 7 p.m.-8 a.m., the Sleep in your Car fundraiser for Catholic Charities will allow students to sleep in their cars on the North Campus lot. Games, bonfires, food and surprises will be involved. Students will seek sponsors for the fundraiser. At 10 p.m. at the North Campus, the film “Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story” will be screened.
On Thursday, Nov. 7 from 12:30-1:30 p.m., “Serving the Hungry and Homeless in Fort Wayne,” a panel with brown bag lunch, will offer discussion with four local nonprofit organizations providing services to the hungry and homeless. It will meet in the Pope John Paul II Center second-floor collaboratory.
On Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. in the North Campus auditorium, guest speaker Mike Yankoski, author of “Under the Overpass,” will describe his journey with companion, Sam, as a homeless man in today’s world.
On Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 18-19, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., a campus-wide Bread for the World letter writing campaign will take place at gathering places on campus. Bread for the World provides a collective Christian voice urging the nation’s decision-makers to end hunger at home and abroad.
For information or to sign up for Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month events, contact Center for Service Engagement Director Katrina Boedeker at (260) 399-7700, ext. 6791 or kboedeker@sf.edu.
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