Each year, right before Thanksgiving, National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week takes place. During this time, communities and cities take part in a national effort to bring attention to the problems of hunger and homelessness.
It is a great opportunity to remind folks why we do what we do and to reiterate how great the need is right here in our community. Far too many families and children are experiencing hunger and homelessness. Over 2,000 children in the Guilford County school system are homeless. On top of all the challenges school-age children face, homeless children face even greater hurdles to be successful. Some of these obstacles include transportation, residency requirements, inability to obtain previous school records, and lack of clothing and school supplies which can lead to children missing school and behavioral and academic problems.
Our own, Allison Plitman, an AmeriCorps VISTA, organized a week of events for UNCG’s Office of Leadership and Service-Learning (OLSL) in an effort to engage students and raise awareness. UNCG students kicked off the week on Sunday, November 15 by coming to our office and packing hundreds of bags of food for BackPack Beginnings.
Written on 11/17/2015 by Angie Burkey.
