Site search:

Departments & Programs

CCS Home

• Current Press Releases
• Upcoming Events
• Press Archive
• AlertNow

Community Relations

Media Release

CHS Hosts Oxfam America Hunger Banquet

Thursday, February 16 at 6 p.m.

On February 16, Charlottesville High School students and members of the community will have an opportunity to learn about global hunger firsthand at the Oxfam America Hunger Banquet. Oxfam America is an international relief and development organization that creates lasting solutions to poverty, hunger, and injustice. Oxfam’s signature event, a Hunger Banquet, raises awareness about a pressing issue that is often hard to envision. The CHS Hunger Banquet will be held at 6 p.m. in B Commons at CHS. Guests are asked to contribute either a $5 donation to Oxfam America or bring 3 canned food items to donate to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.

Here’s how it works: Guests draw tickets at random that assign them each to either a high-, middle-, or low-income tier— based on 2011 statistics about the number of people living in poverty around the world. Each income level receives a corresponding meal: The 15 percent in the high-income tier are served a sumptuous meal; the 35 percent in the middle-income section eat a simple meal of rice and beans; and the 50 percent in the low-income tier help themselves to small portions of rice and water.

In addition, Michael McKee of the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank will discuss the presence of hunger in our own community and how we can take action locally. After a Hunger Banquet, few participants leave with full stomachs, but all possess a greater understanding of hunger and poverty and will feel motivated to do something about the problems.

Students, teachers, and members of the community are all welcome to attend.

Participants are asked to RSVP to the “Oxfam America Hunger Banquet at CHS” event on Facebook or by emailing rebecca.schectman@comcast.net.

Many thanks to Whole Foods Market in Charlottesville for catering the event.

 

 

 

* * *