Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week brings up important topics and University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Titans are devoting their time to tackle the epidemic in many forms—and through many events.

UW Oshkosh students have carefully created and planned a variety of events for Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, which is running from Wednesday, Nov. 11 through Wednesday, Nov. 18. The purpose of the events is to spread awareness and to educate the community about the issues of hunger and homelessness culture, provide visibility for related community organizations and promote equal opportunities.

Various UW Oshkosh departments and student organizations hope to empower the community with the strength and tools to have a positive experience on and off the campus.

Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week kicks off with Titans Take on Hunger in various dining locations throughout campus. Monetary donations are being collected to help end hunger in the Oshkosh area. This initiative is hosted by Sodexo and dining services.

Another event raising awareness on campus is Tunnel of Oppression, which will take place Nov. 16 and 17 in Reeve Memorial Union. It’s an interactive event intended to bring light to current social justice issues facing society. This year, participants will explore: income and housing disparity, immigrants and jobs, solitary confinement, victim blaming, bias language and transphobia.

Following the official week, South Gruenhagen residential staff is hosting its annual Glow Party in the Gruenhagen Conference Center Saturday, Nov. 20 from 8 p.m to midnight. For every canned good students bring they will be given a raffle ticket for prizes—all donated goods go to the Oshkosh Area Community Pantry. Some of the big prizes this year include a Keurig and Beats by Dre headphones.

Residence Hall Director Dany Thompson, of South Gruenhagen, said the Glow Party helps contribute in two ways.

“One, it raises awareness that Oshkosh has a food pantry,” Thompson said. “Many residents who come to school here don’t realize the resources that city has to offer in terms of combating hunger. Second, the canned goods collected are donated to the food pantry to help those Oshkosh people who need the help. This also includes students; I know that many students also utilize the food pantry, and that hunger among college students has become a growing problem nationwide.”  

Thompson said the ultimate goal for the Glow Party is to raise awareness of hunger in Oshkosh—while also providing an opportunity for fun within the residence halls on campus.

 

Hunger and Homelessness Week Events:

• Nov. 11-13 — Titans Take on Hunger, Reeve Union Marketplace

Donate money to end hunger in the Oshkosh area.

• Nov. 11-18 — Be the Change event

Bring  change to donate funds to the Day by Day Warming Shelter. Various offices throughout campus.

• Nov.15 — Oshkosh Community Empty Bowls event, 4-7 p.m., Becket’s, 501 City Center

Proceeds from Empty Bowls go to the food panties at: Emmanuel United Church of Christ, Father Carr’s, HIS Church, Lutheran Food Pantry, Oshkosh Area Community Pantry and the Salvation Army.

• Nov. 16-17 — Tunnel of Oppression, Reeve Union

Nov. 18 — Empty Bowls, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Reeve Union Titan Underground

• Nov. 20 — South Gruenhagen Glow Party, 8 p.m.-midnight, Gruenhagen Conference Center

Food drive event in which goods go to the Oshkosh Area Community Pantry.