Columbus, OH…Mount Carmel College of Nursing (MCCN) freshman students will participate in the Oxfam Hunger Banquet as part of their First Year Experience class at noon on Monday, February 15, 2016.
This interactive event will educate as many as 90 students about hunger and poverty by providing direct-experience into the world of the underserved. According to the Oxfam website, the Oxfam Hunger Banquet is designed to increase the desire to give back to impoverished communities.
Students will draw tickets as they enter the room, designating whether they are high-, middle- or low-income tier. The amount of each tier is based on the latest statistics about poverty around the world. Currently, 20% will receive the high-income tier tickets, 30% will receive the middle-income tier tickets, and 50% will receive low-income tier tickets. The tiers determine the type of meal they will receive.
- High-income tier ticket holders will receive a sumptuous meal served to them at nice tables with linens and silverware.
- Middle-income tier ticket holders will receive rice and beans buffet-style at tables with plastic silverware.
- Low-income tier ticket holders will sit on the floor and have access to small amounts of rice and water. Males will serve themselves first.
“It’s a great way to educate students that hunger and poverty is due to inequality and not over-population or lack of resources”, said Colleen Cipriani, Director of MCCN Student Life. “The Oxfam Hunger Banquet gives the students the opportunity to experience the lack of balance first-hand.”
Students will share their thoughts following this exercise to illustrate their reactions and takeaways from the hunger banquet.
The Oxfam Hunger Banquet will be held at the Community Health Resource Center, 777 West State Street, on the Mount Carmel West campus, adjacent to MCCN.