By: Mallory Turner
A Homelessness Banquet hosted by Campus Civitan will give students a hands-on learning experience on the realities of class disparities on Nov. 16 at 5:30 p.m. in Faith Hall of the Tucker Student Center.
When arriving to the event, Civitan volunteers will randomly give each person a ticket that places them in either lower, middle or upper class. The class that is assigned to each person decides how he or she will sit and eat.
“There are a few surprises [at the dinner]. I think it’s definitely something people have to experience for themselves,” said Keanna Caldwell, vice president of Campus Civitan.
Brandon Thomas, director of special events for Campus Civitan, said, “A lot of people see homelessness and hear about it but they’re not fully aware of what it actually means.”
The group hopes the banquet will allow people on campus to better understand the different situations people experience. As Thomas said, there are people with bachelor’s and master’s degrees who are homeless, unlike most people may assume.
Sophomore Jenn Guberman, remarked that the event is an “interesting concept…you’re not just going to listen to someone talk.” Shelby Brown, also a sophomore, stated that she thinks the event will “make more of an impact” because of the interactive nature of the event.
The banquet, sponsored by Oxfam America, is one of several events that will occur around campus during Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, Nov. 14-20.
To attend the free event, RSVP on Facebook or by emailing [email protected]. Space is limited to 40 people.
