Gladiola Esparza | Contributing Writer

On Thursday, Nov. 21 2013, Student Mobilizing Outreach and Volunteer Effort’s (M.O.V.E.) Vice Presidents of Alternative Events and Associate of Campus Ministry Ken Meissner are set to host a hunger banquet on the Buena Vista University (BVU) campus in the hopes of inspiring others to get involved with Storm Lake’s community.

925 million people die from hunger related causes, and about every five seconds a child dies from hunger. Hunger is worldwide issue. Food is a necessity of life, yet some of us are unaware of the social problem.

According to the author of The Banyan tree: Volume II: Bringing Change Appropriate Nutrition: Its Role in Health, Carol Huss stated, “(t)he real reasons for hunger and poor nutrition are” based on the unequal distribution of land and the power of political, socio-economic, and resources. One of the major myths we hear about hunger is that it results from over-population. The truth is that China, who is known for its overpopulation, actually has more cultivated estate per person than India.

In recent years, the United States has been experiencing hunger issues. One in six US citizens are facing this reality. Everyone needs help from time to time, whether it’s simply needing directions to get to our destination or finding a job. Right now, millions of people in America are struggling with hunger and need a lending hand to get them back on their feet. The thought and consideration sets one apart from the rest.

This event is an opportunity to step out of one’s comfort zone and make a difference in their community. By working together and taking action, people can not only improve others’ lives but learn valuable lessons they wouldn’t have learned otherwise. Whether that may be appreciating what one has, discovering a passion they didn’t know they had, or the satisfaction of doing something good for others.

At this event, just as in real life, some people are born into relative prosperity and others into poverty. The place where a person will sit at the dinner and the meal they receive will be determined randomly. Prior to the event, no one knows their placement of their socio-economic status and the chances of falling into the upper or middle class is highly unlikely. This event will not only raise awareness, but also provide educational facts about hunger in America.

Our guest speaker, Jay Dalhouser from The Bridge in Storm Lake, will provide valuable information about ways we can all work together as a community help end hunger.For example, by simply donating an hour a day to volunteer at United Methodist Manor Church, a positive impact is made to end hunger.

The objective of the event is to simulate the reality of social injustice and unequal food distribution in the world. During this interactive dinner, each participant will have a chance to experience the social injustice that many people in the world face every day. Then they will learn about ways they can volunteer and be active in their community. Student MOVE hopes that by raising awareness about hunger, students will change the way they tend to think about poverty and hunger and subsequently inspire students to get involved with the community to make a small, positive impact in someone else’s life.

Students who are interested in attending the event may sign up in the Geisinger Student Leadership Center (GSLC), or contact Ken Meissner at [email protected], Gladiola Esparza at [email protected], or Nereyda Manriquez at [email protected] for further information.

Graphic by Aaron Burns