Student groups spearhead homelessness awareness activities

Submitted by Marmian Grimes
Phone: 907-474-7902
11/04/09

The Student Activities Office and the Leadership Program at the University of Alaska Fairbanks will host several events for the campus’ second annual National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week Nov. 6-10. This year’s goal is to raise awareness of hunger and homelessness issues and to hear from those who experience homelessness every day.

The week will kick off Friday, Nov. 6 at 5 p.m. with a First Friday reception in Wood Center to showcase photographs taken by homeless people in the local community. The student groups gave 20 cameras to organizations and shelters around Fairbanks and asked them to pass them along to people who are homeless. The reception and photography show are free and open to the public.

Students will also host a screening of the movie "The Soloist" at the Moore-Bartlett-Skarland Complex on campus Nov.10 at 8 p.m. The movie is the story of a Los Angeles journalist who befriends a homeless Juilliard-trained musician. The screening is open to the campus community. Throughout the week, student groups will have a contest to see who can collect the most canned food.

CONTACT: Anna Dale at 360-440-4444 or atdale@alaska.edu. Marmian Grimes, UAF public information officer, at 907-474-7902 or marmian.grimes@alaska.edu.

MG/11-04-09/076ma-10