According to Feeding America, the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity, there are 13,170 food insecure people in Athens County.
Better Together at Ohio University has tackled the issues of food insecurity and water security through various events this year.
This is What Hunger Feels Like is a 12-hour fast to show what hunger really feels like, said Shea Daniels, a Better Together steering committee member and a senior studying creative writing.
“We at Better Together believe that peace begins when the hungry are fed and the thirsty have water,” Daniels said. “Thus, to draw attention to the realities of domestic poverty, we thought it would be interesting to facilitate a day-long fast for students.”
Pledge forms were passed out in the weeks prior to the event. All proceeds will go toward building a well in Africa through charity: water, a nonprofit focused on providing clean drinking water to developing nations.
Hilary Lucas, a member of the Better Together steering committee and a senior studying creative writing, said she raised $135 for the well through pledges.
“The overall goal for the end of the year is $5,000 for the well, but we were just trying to raise as much as we individually could,” Lucas said.
Although students were urged to collect donations for the event, people who didn’t collect donations can still participate.
“We didn’t want a cap for students, because that is not what this event is about,” Lucas said. “They can join in the fast, and if they want, they can take a donation form after and help raise money.”
The event will start with an icebreaker at 9 a.m at United Campus Ministry, 18 N. College St.
Throughout the day, films documenting food insecurity, specifically focusing on the Appalachian region, will be shown. There will also be games, and students can help serve the UCM Saturday lunch.
The fast will end with a dinner consisting of locally sourced vegan soup and cornbread.
“This event offers a chance for people to understand what life is like five miles outside of Athens,” said Rachel Hyden, media liaison for Better Together and a senior studying public relations. “We have people going hungry all day long, and we are only doing 12 hours.”
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