Hunger Banquet, 5K Race Part of UA’s Beat Auburn Beat Hunger Food Drive

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama Community Service Center is sponsoring a Hunger Banquet on Wednesday, Nov. 14, at 7:30 p.m. in the Ferguson Center Heritage Room and a 5K race on Sunday, Nov. 18, starting at 2 p.m. at the Outdoor Pool as part of the Beat Auburn Beat Hunger food drive.

BABH is an annual food drive benefiting the West Alabama Food Bank. UA challenges Auburn University to donate food and funds to the East Alabama food bank to see which school can collect the largest amount of nonperishable food items to help Alabamians in need.

Since the competition began in 1994, both schools have raised some 3 million pounds of food, and last year UA “beat” Auburn by more than 100,000 pounds of food.

The Hunger Banquet is based on an Oxfam program that gives participants a firsthand look at food inequality worldwide. Diners will randomly draw tickets that will assign them to one of several income levels. Participant seating must be reserved by registering online at http://volunteer.ua.edu/hungerb.cfm.  The CSC asks that each person within a group be registered.

“Many of the students at the University are extremely fortunate to have access to an adequate amount of food and the privilege to choose what we eat, and it is easy to take this for granted,” said Lisa Bochey, CSC director of hunger and homelessness. “I think the Hunger Banquet is the perfect event for students to gain a new perspective on these issues and hopefully become motivated to do something to help.”

Participants for the 5K race can register in advance by going to http://beatauburnbeathunger.ua.edu/5k.cfm. The pre-registration fee is $15 or $20 on the day of the race. Those who pre-register will also receive a BABH T-shirt.

“We are really expecting a fantastic turnout to this event. We had great success during last year’s 5K and were able to raise a substantial amount of money for BABH. We encourage all to come out and help fight hunger in West Alabama,” said Andres Mendieta, BABH director.

Registration will be from 1-1:45 p.m. at the Student Recreation Center Outdoor Pool parking lot. Participants are welcome to bring nonperishable food items to donate at the race. The race will begin at the parking lot at 2 p.m. and loop around the University and end back at the Outdoor Pool parking lot; an awards ceremony will be held at 4 p.m.

The Hunger Banquet is sponsored by the CSC in conjunction with the Honors College Assembly, Black Student Union, SGA, Academic Honor Council, Cardinal Key Honors Society, University Housing, Bama Dining and the Ferguson Center. Following the meal, guests are given a chance to reflect on the root causes of hunger and poverty and on the changes they hope to make in their community as a result of the hunger banquet. One Panhellenic Point will be given to each individual who attends this event.

People can donate nonperishable food items at any of the BABH donation barrels located around the University and the city. Monetary donations are accepted at various Bama Dining locations and by texting BAMA to 27722.

For more information, visit the CSC in 346 Ferguson Center and go to http://www.volunteer.ua.edu/.