NCH AwarenessWeekManual

7/25/2019 NCH AwarenessWeekManual

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NATIONAL

HUNGER &HOMELESS

AWARENESS WEEK

Sponsored by

National Coalition or t!e Ho"eless NationalSt#dent Ca"pai$n a$ainst H#n$er & Ho"elessness

No%e"ber '()* +'+


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Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week Manual

TA,LE O- CONTENTS

Introduction 3

Education 5

Suggested Activities 9

Media 13

Sample News elease 15

Sample !roclamation 1"

Sample Week 1#

$aces o% Homelessness !anel 19

&'ne Nig(t Wit(out a Home) *1

Homeless +(allenge !ro,ect *3

Midnig(t un *"

'-%am America.s /ining Hall $ast *#

'-%am America.s Hunger 0anuet *2

'%%ering o% etters *9

o44ing $A6 37

'rgani8ational +ontacts 3*

2National +oalition %or t(e Homeless


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Introd#.tion

As t(e (anksgiving (olida approac(es: people take time to consider w(at t(e.re t(ank%ul %orand donate some o% t(eir time: attention and resources to t(ose less %ortunate; In t(e spirit o%t(ank%ulness and giving: eac( ear t(e National +oalition %or t(e Homeless and t(e NationalStudent +ampaign against Hunger and Homelessness set aside t(e week prior to (anksgiving tosponsor t(e National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week; ast ear during t(is week: more

t(an seven (undred and %i%t (ig( sc(ools: colleges: communities group and %ait( 4ased groups%rom cities across t(e


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/lannin$ A!ead

Earl planning is important; Novem4er 17@12: *71* will come 4e%ore ou know it; 0egin 4

enlisting interested individuals: outlining and planning events: and contacting organi8ations t(atma 4e willing to participate andor o%%er assistance; (e more time ou spend 4rainstorming:planning: and organi8ing now: t(e 4etter our week will go in Novem4er; If this will be your firsttime participating in National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week, remember that you donot need an event for each day. It might be better to choose one or two events that will bewellplanned, focused and vibrant. Hunger and (omelessness cannot 4e eliminated in a week:4ut a creative: dedicated: and timel e%%ort will contri4ute greatl to t(e national endeavor;

Ho01

$irst t(ings %irst: ou need a team; A small: dedicated group o% people can create t(e mainplanning team: 4ut ou will de%initel need a larger support sstem: and ou must alwas 4e

recruiting people 4 creating an interest in t(e issues o% (unger and (omelessness: as well as aninterest in t(e events t(at ou are planning; Most likel ou alread know people t(at will 4einterested in participating: 4ut never 4e a%raid to promote it to ot(er individuals and ask %or t(eirassistance; Some people ma surprise ou; +onsider an communit t(at ou ma 4e involvedwit(; Even i% ou (ave not 4een active in a particular communit: take t(e initiative to assume aleaders(ip role; +onsider an groups t(at ma alread 4e interested in (unger and(omelessness issuesprograms; It is imperative not onl to promote interest: 4ut also toconsider all %eed4ack; /iscuss t(e events t(at ou are planning and 4e open to c(anges andnew ideas;

It is immensel important to know t(e communit t(at ou are working wit(B c(ildren: t(e elderl:college students: etc;: so as to create t(e events accordingl; A%ter esta4lis(ing a team: it is

important to decide on t(e logistics as soon as possi4le;

Here is a sample c(ecklist o% some: 4ut not all: uestions t(at ou will need to answerBC How man and w(ic( events s(ould we plan %orDC W(en and w(ere s(ould t(e events take placeDC How man people s(ould coordinate eac( eventDC W(o s(ould (andle pu4licitDC W(at is t(e 4est meeting time pre%era4l weeklF %or everoneDC W(at communit organi8ations would (elp us 4 co@sponsoring t(e weekDC W(o is knowledgea4le a4out organi8ing events wit(in t(e communitDC W(at are creative was to educate t(e pu4lic on t(e events and t(e issueD

REGISTRATION

0e%ore ou get started please take a moment to register our Awareness Week on t(eStudent +ampaign Against Hunger and Homelessness. we4siteB(ttpBwww;studentsagainst(unger;orgawareness@week



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And t(e National +oalition %or t(e Homeless we4siteB(ttpBwww;national(omeless;orgpro,ectsawarenessinde-;(tml

It is ver important %or ou to register our week so t(at we (ave accurate records o%participation across t(e countr; We would also 4ene%it %rom an %eed4ack ou canprovide on events ou (osted during Awareness Week;

Good luck as ou 4egin organi8ing=

E2UCATION

In an endeavor: education is ke; 0e a4le to speak con%identl a4out w( ou want to: and w(ou t(ink our communit s(ould: participate in National Hunger and Homelessn AwarenessWeek; 0e aware t(at statistics do inspire interest listed 4elow are a num4er o% we4sites t(atou can utili8e to educate oursel% and our pu4lic a4out (unger and (omelessness issues; rto 4e creative w(en ou educate our pu4lic=

National +oalition %or t(e Homeless(ttpBwww;national(omeless;org

National Student +ampaign Against Hunger and Homelessness(ttpBwww;studentsagainst(unger;org

ideos and 4ooks are a great tool wit( w(ic( to educate oursel% and t(e pu4lic a4out (unger and(omelessness; isted 4elow are movies: adult 4ooks: and even c(ildren.s 4ooks t(at %ocus ont(e issues o% (unger and (omelessness;

,oo3s on t!e !istory o !o"elessness4



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Hopper: Jim; eckoning wit( Homelessness: *773;A recent history of homelessness in which the author argues for the elimination of homelessness.

evinson: /avid; Homelessness Hand4ook: *77#;The historical aspect of this handbook covers the topics of vagrancy,workhouses, poorhouses, hobo and tramp literature, the great

depression and the skid row era. The remaining portion of the bookcontains research and analysis of the leading historians and socialscientists in the field of homelessness. The Homelessness Handbookelucidates, motivates, and empowersmaking it the ideal reference forstudents, professionals, activists, and anyone who needs to understandthis ve!ing social problem.

Ad#lt boo3s4

Jenned: Mic(elle; Wit(out a NetB Middle +lass and Homeless wit( JidsF inAmerica: *775;

At age twenty"four #ichelle was suddenly single, homeless, and living out of a car with her three

small children. $he waitressed night shifts while her kids slept out in the diner%s parking lot. $hesaved her tips in the glove compartment, and set aside a few &uarters every week for truck stopshowers for her and the kids. With startling humor and honesty, 'ennedy describes the frustrationof never having enough money for a security deposit on an apartmentbut having too much to&ualify for public assistance.

eMieu-: ic(ard; 0reak%ast at Sall.sB 'ne Homeless Man.s Inspirational Kourne: *772;(ne day, )ichard *e#ieu! had a happy marriage, a palatial home, and took +-,--- reekvacations. The ne!t, he was living out of a van with only his dog, Willow, for company. Thisastonishingly frank memoir tells the story of one man%s resilience in the face of economic disaster./enniless, a failed suicide, estranged from his family, and living 0the vehicular lifestyle0 inWashington state, *e#ieu! chronicles his 1ourney from the $alvation Army kitchens to his days

with 020a philosopher in a homeless man%s clothingto his run"ins with /astor 3ob and othercharacters he meets on the streets. Along the way, he finds time to haunt public libraries anddiscover his desire to write.

*e#ieu!%s &uiet determination and his almost pious willingness to live with his situation are only apart of this politically and socially charged memoir. The real story of an all"too"common Americancondition, this is a heartfelt and stirring read.

Street Sense; Street ersesB !oems 4 t(e Homeless Writers and endors o% StreetSense:*77#;The poems inside this book come from the pages of $treet $ense over the course of its first threeyears of operation. Homeless and formerly homeless men and women, many of who also sell the

paper, wrote all of these pieces. While some are directly about homelessness, many are far fromthis topic and describe love, work, friendship, sorrow and pain. These poems reflect their deepestthoughts, creative dreams, complicated pasts, and immediate needs.

Harris: /avid; Street +orner Ma,est; *779$treet 2orner #a1esty is the title of 4avid Harris% first published book of poetry. This book is abouta few years of 4avid%s life and how he tells his story through poetry. 4avid says the mostinteresting years of his life started in the Winter of 5--6 when he found himself homeless on thestreets of Washington, 4.2., cold, hungry and scared. After a few weeks on the streets, 4avid



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discovered the creative writing group at #iriam%s 'itchen, a soup kitchen that serves breakfast tothe hungry and homeless in 4.2. The group provided 4avid with a network of friends, who werealso homeless and wrote poetry. 4avid was finding that poetry gave him a way to e!press hisfeelings and e!periences on the streets.

C!ildren5s boo3s4

0unting: Eve and onald Himler; $l Awa Home; New >orkB +larion 0ooks: *77L;A homeless boy who lives in an airport with his father, moving from terminal to terminal and tryingnot to be noticed, is given hope when he sees a trapped bird find its freedom

Ko(nson: Kerriln K; Momm: Are We HomelessD Winston@SalemB !SG !rinting Serviceso% Greens4oro: Inc;: *773;This is a story about a young girl whose entire life changes when she becomes homeless. $hestill goes to the same school, but she now lives in a shelter. $he is unaware of the other childrenlike her, until she meets a girl on the school bus one day. They talk and #olly discovers that she isnot uni&ue and she makes new friends but also keeps her old ones.

Jae: +at(rn 0; A Jids Guide to Hunger ? Homelessness B How to ake Action; MinneapolisB

$ree Spirit !u4lis(ing: Inc;: *77#;This is a book used to teach children about what causeshomelessness. They are also taught what they can do to help thehomeless in their neighborhoods. It gives ideas and facts on how tobetter the current situation.

Mo%ies62o.#"entaries&EasStreet:) *77";

7asy $treet is a feature"length film that documents one year in the lives of homeless people in $t./etersburg, 8lorida. The viewer sees and hears, first hand, how people scratch out an e!istenceon the streets of America9s urban centers. We learn how they got there and what keeps themthere. This is a must"see film for anyone who feels compelled to learn more about an underclassof American society whose ranks continue to grow every year.

&Homeless to HarvardB (e i8 Murra Stor:) *77";At 6:, *i; #urray finds herself living on the streets after her mentally ill, drug"addicted parentsfalter in their attempts to keep their family together. Instead of crumpling, the troubled teen clingsto hope and determination, and works her way up out of homelessness all the way to Harvard


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train station. 4espite the negative situation, ardner continued to fight toward his goal ofbecoming a broker, and would eventually become a self"made millionaire.

&(e Soloist:) *779;In 5--:, the only thing hurting *os Angeles Times columnist $teve *ope; more than his face froma recent bike accident was his pressing need for story ideas. That is when he discovers Nathaniel

Ayers, a mentally ill, homeless street musician who possesses e!traordinary talent, even throughhis half"broken instruments. Inspired by his story, *ope; writes an acclaimed series of articlesabout Ayers and attempts to do more to help both him and the rest of the underclass of *A have abetter life. However, *ope;%s good intentions run headlong in the hard realities of the strength of

Ayers% personal demons and the larger social in1ustices facing the homeless. )egardless, *ope;and Ayers must find a way to con&uer their deepest an!ieties and frustrations to hope for abrighter future for both of them. >I#43?.

&(e 0lind Side:) *7793ased on the true story of *eigh Anne and $ean Tuohy who take in a homeless teenageAfricanAmerican, #ichael 03ig #ike0 (her. #ichael has no idea who his father is and his motheris a drug addict. #ichael has had little formal education and few skills to help him learn. *eigh

Anne soon takes charge however, as is her nature, ensuring that the young man has every

opportunity to succeed. When he e!presses an interest in football, she goes all out to help him,including giving the coach a few ideas on how best to use #ichael%s skills. They not only providehim with a loving home, but hire a tutor to help him improve his grades to the point where hewould &ualify for an N2AA 4ivision I athletic scholarship. #ichael (her was the first"round pick ofthe 3altimore )avens in the 5--@ N8* draft.>I#43?

$aces o% Homelessness IThe highly regarded N2H video that features images of America9s homeless people. This6="minute video features images taken by award"winning photographers from around thecountry accompanied with powerful homeless"themed music that enables the viewer toget a sense of who is homeless in America. Available on ouTube.

&$aces o% Homelessness II)4B4 was done by a trio of student filmmakers who interviewed a number of homelesspeople in the nation%s capital. Available on ouTube.

&(e National +oalition %or t(e HomelessB 0ringing America Home)4B4 was sponsored by the Homewood $uites by Hilton. A short documentary thatoutlines the history and promotes the work of the National 2oalition for the Homeless.2ontact the National 2oalition for the Homeless for more information if you wish to obtaina copy.

AndC The National 2oalition for the Homeless highly recommendsC

&Have >ou Seen +lemB A rue StorO Sorta) *775Daymo, an aspiring filmmaker, suddenly finds himself homeless and living out of his car.4esperate to find a way out, he begins shooting a documentary about the overlooked homeless

people in this sharply divided society.When he stumbles across a mysterious bum named 2lem,Daymo reali;es that every homeless person has a cart full of secrets and a uni&ue story of

personal collapse to tell. Together they embark on a cross"country road trip meeting a crosssection of forgotten homeless people that struggle to live on and find contentment on the streetsof America.



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Their eye"opening 1ourney culminates in Nashville, where 2lem seekshis ultimate revenge against the unscrupulous banker who caused hisfall from grace. The soundtrack is a riveting mi! of original songs

performed entirely by the streetmusicians that the filmmakers met as they traveled across America.

>I#43?

SUGGESTE2 ACTI7ITIES

0elow is a list o% suggested events %or National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week; !lease%eel %ree to develop new activities %or our uniue communit; I% our idea is a great success:please let us know so t(at we can add our event to ne-t ear.s manual=

/op#lar A0areness Wee3 E%entsC 'rgani8e a &'ne Nig(t wit(out a Home) awareness sleep out in %ront o% cit

(all or on a near4 college campus; See t(e detailed description includedon p;*1F

C 'rgani8e '-%am America.s Hunger 3an&uet or 4ining Hall 8astin ourcommunit; See t(e detailed description included on p; *#@*2F

Ed#.ational E%ents

C Host educational %orums on (unger and (omelessness; Invite speakers:suc( as (omeless persons: service providers: and communit speakers tos(are t(eir e-periences; S(ow videos and distri4ute %act s(eets or ot(erin%ormational material re%er to t(e National +oalition %or t(e Homeless.we4siteB www;national(omeless;orgF;

C 'rgani8e a movie nig(t and s(ow one o% t(e movies listed a4ove in t(eEducation section p; 5@2F; euest a non@peris(a4le %ood item an



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admissions %ee; Have a local 4usiness or group donate popcorn and ot(erre%res(ments;

C 'rgani8e a 4ook reading and discussion group; See listed 4ooks in t(eEducation section a4ove p; 5@2F; Help%ul (intB see i% t(ere are an localaut(ors in our communit w(o (ave written on (unger and (omelessnessw(o would 4e willing to (ost a 4ook signing;

C Arrange to go into an elementar sc(ool and read a c(ildren.s 4ook on(unger or (omelessness and (ave t(e teac(er %acilitate an age@appropriatediscussion;

C Homelessness Saturda or Sunda; Have religious institutions suc( asc(urc(es: snagogues: temples: and mosues %ocus t(eir religious serviceson (omelessnesspovert issues; !raer 4reak%astsmeeting andcandlelig(t vigils are also good was to involve religious institutions;

Co""#nity ,#ildin$ E%entsC 'rgani8e a potluck dinner in w(ic( communit mem4ers 4ring in a dis( %or

t(emselves and t(ree ot(er persons; Invite (omeless persons as guests inorder to encourage communit interaction; emem4er to c(oose a neutralsite %or t(e dinner P a convenient place wit( no religious a%%iliation;

C Arrange a +ommunit Service /a w(ere people can volunteer at di%%erentlocal organi8ations and learn a4out t(eir activities; Suggested contactsB%ood pantries: (omeless s(elters: and soup kitc(ens;

C 'rgani8e a +ard4oard 0rigade in our communit; Miami@/ade +ount: $success%ull organi8ed L7 card4oard 4rigades across t(e communitencouraging citi8ens and students to make card4oard signs and take to t(estreets stressing t(e importance o% ending (omelessness and raisingawareness;

C Host an 'pen@Mic Nig(t in a local co%%ee s(op; Invite all communitmem4ers to s(are poetr: prose: and t(oug(ts on (omelessness and(unger;

C 'rgani8e a $ood Stamp +(allenge in w(ic( participants attempt to eat on a%ood stamp 4udget %or a week or a da; In *779 t(e national average

4ene%its were Q33;*2 a week: or QL;#5 a da; Some +ongressionalmem4ers and elected o%%icials (ave taken t(e c(allenge invite our localgovernment o%%icials to take t(e c(allenge wit( communit mem4ers;

C +onstruct a communit uilt; (is is great %or classroomsstudents; Eac(person can contri4ute a suare t(at relates to an aspect o% (omelessnessand povert t(at is meaning%ul to t(em; $or more in%ormation view t(ise-ample %rom Ms; (oads. Lt(grade class in >armout(: MaineB



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(ttpBvoicet(read;comR;4171L#22;i5L11259

C 'rgani8e a &We are All Homeless) event in our communit during w(ic(non(omeless individuals (old@up signs asking %or mone: in order to raiseawareness o% (omelessness; olunteers can also give out in%ormationdirecting individuals to local (omelessness(unger c(aritiesserviceproviders; $or more in%ormation view t(is e-ample %orm /allas: e-as(ttpBwww;t(e33tv;comnewskda%@we@are@all(omeless@stor:7:"L5*"57;stor

C 'rgani8e a &iving in a +ar) event in w(ic( volunteers take s(i%ts living in acar %or twent@%our (ours in a pu4lic area to simulate (ow some (omelesslive and to raise awareness a4out t(e plig(t o% t(e (omeless; A greate-ample can 4e seen atB(ttpBwww;tcpalm;comnews*717oct7L(%c@,oins@national@(unger@and(omelessness@awarene

C 'rgani8e collection o% non@peris(a4le items suc( as %ood: (gieneproducts: clot(ing: 4lankets: 4ooks: tos etc at local 4usiness; Also inuirei% t(e local 4usinesses are willing to donate a percentage o% t(eir pro%itsduring t(e week to a local (omelessness(unger organi8ation;

-#ndraisin$ and 2ri%es or H#n$er and Ho"elessness Ca#sesC 'rgani8e a drive to collect non@peris(a4le items suc( as %ood: (giene

products: clot(ing: 4lankets: 4ooks: and tos; Involve t(e communitorgani8ations in a competition to see w(ic( group can collect t(e mostdonations; Help%ul (intB talk wit( local service providers to researc( w(atitems are most needed in our communit;

C /esignate one da %or communit mem4ers to skip a meal; Instead o%purc(asing lunc( t(at da: t(e can donate t(e mone t(at t(e would (avespent to (ungr people in our communit;

C Sponsor a 4ake sale; /onate collected mone to a local s(elter;

C Sponsor a 4ene%it concert wit( local musicians; /onate collected mone toa local s(elter;

C Arrange a walk or a run; Have eac( participant collect sponsors(ip mone

set a minimum: suc( as Q*7 per participant; /onate collected mone to alocal s(elter; Encourage local 4usinesses to donate %ood and drinks;Encourage local 4ands to provide entertainment;

C Sponsor a Galler nig(t 4 selling artwork created 4 (omeless individuals:t(e proceeds to 4e donated to local (omelessness(unger organi8ations ordirectl to t(e (omeless w(ose artwork is 4eing sold;



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C 'rgani8e an &Empt 0owls) %undraiser: in con,unction wit( an artdepartment or local art center; olunteers create ceramic 4owls w(ic( aret(en used to serve a simple meal o% soup and 4read; Guests at t(e mealgive a suggested donation o% ten dollars in e-c(ange %or t(e meal and t(e4owl w(ic( t(e keep as a reminder o% t(eir e-periences at t(e meal; (emone raised is used to support local: national: or international (unger

relie% e%%orts; Empt 0owls is an ideal %undraiser to 4e com4ined wit( aneducational event; +ontact Empt 0owls at www;empt4owl;net

Ad%o.a.y E%entsC egister (omeless and low@income people to vote;

C Have a 4oot( w(ere people can write to t(eir +ongressionalrepresentatives a4out t(e importance o% programs %or (omeless persons;See 0read %or t(e World '%%ering o% etters description included in t(ispacketF;

C (ink Glo4all: Act ocall@ Was(ington: /;+; isn.t t(e onl place t(atlo44ing is possi4le= Gat(er a group o% students and (omeless%ormerl(omeless individuals and visit our cit (all: count commission: statelegislature andor a local o%%ice o% our +ongressional representative orSenator; $ocus on educating our audience on (omelessness issues andw(at ideas ou (ave to 4etter t(e situation; o44ing doesn.t (ave to (avea negative connotation: t(ink a4out w(at ou are doing as merel aneducational: (ope%ul conversation; $or more tips on lo44ing e%%ectivel seet(e lo44ing $A6 section in t(is packet;

C Have people come toget(er and discuss t(e issues surrounding

(omelessness and t(en write t(eir opinions in etters to t(e Editor in t(eirlocal: state: and national newspapers;

All o% t(ese ideas leave plent o% room %or ingenuit; ake one o% t(ese ideas andc(ange it as ou see %it: or com4ine components o% multiple ideas: suc( asB

C 'rgani8e a carnivalB c(arge a couple o% dollars %or admission andor collectcanned %oods as admission; Have local 4usinesses donate %ood: drinks:and ot(er goods or services; +(arge ver little %or eac(: and donate allproceeds %rom t(e event to a local s(elter; Have (omeless or %ormerl(omeless people attend and speak 4rie%l; Have local 4ands per%orm;

Have a 4oot( to write letters to +ongressional representatives;

+(eck out t(e National Student +ampaign Against Hunger and Homelessness we4site %or moreideas t(at are speci%icall geared towards college campuses and students: suc( as t(e Spare+(ange %or Social +(ange initiative: and Swipe wice %or Hunger;(ttpBwww;studentsagainst(unger;org



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A trul success%ul Awareness Week will inspire people to 4ecome %urt(er involved wit(t(e issues o% (unger and (omelessness; At t(e end o% t(is packet is a list o% advocacgroups wit( w(om people could work to continue t(eir involvement; (eseorgani8ations: along wit( ot(er: local ideas o% (ow people can 4ecome more involvedwit( t(is issue on a more regular 4asis: s(ould 4e advertised t(roug(out our AwarenessWeek events;

ME2IA

An important component o% National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week is pu4licit;(e outcome o% our event will depend largel on our a4ilit to pu4lici8e prior to t(eevent; A good use o% t(e media will get people in our communit to start t(inking a4out(unger and (omelessness and inspire t(em to take part in t(e events during t(e week;In order to get t(e word out and involve t(e communit as muc( as possi4le: ou need toalert our local media earl on in our organi8ing process; It is important to notify both



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campus and community media sources. *et them know about the events of AwarenessWeek.

Ho0 to #tili8e t!e Media

C $ind multiple media outlets in our communit suc( as newspapers and radiostations;

C


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C I% ou are on a college campus: using c(alk on well@traveled sidewalks is anot(ergreat wa to pu4lici8e to a large num4er o% people;

Make sure you let the National Coalition for the Homeless know about Hunger andHomelessness Awareness Week in your community!

+ontactB Speakers. 0ureau +oordinator!(oneB *7*F L"*@L2**EmailB speakers4ureaunational(omeless;org

SAM/LE NEWS RELEASE



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AENI'N '+A ME/IA +ontactB >our NameFNovem4er 1: *71* ocal Group NameF

1*3F 555@HHAW

'n dateF: *71*: ocal Group NameF will 4e sponsoring a $aces o% Homelessness%orum as part o% National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week; (e %orum will 4e(eld at placeF at timeF; (e %orum will include t(e %ollowing guest speakersB

Ms; TTTTTTTTT: (omeless mot(er o% two living in our cit or stateF;Mr; TTTTTTTTT: (omeless man living in our cit or stateF;Ms; TTTTTTTTT: director o% our cit or statewide (omeless(ousing coalition;Mr; TTTTTTTTTT: director o% a local s(elter in our cit or stateF;

TTTTTTTTTTTTT: president o% our student (unger(omelessness organi8ation

National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week Novem4er 17@12F is a nationalendeavor to promote education: action: and awareness a4out (unger and(omelessness; ocal Group NameF is sponsoring t(is important e%%ort in ourcommunitF; 't(er events include a &'ne Nig(t Wit(out a Home:) dateF: a canned %ooddrive: and a Hunger 0anuet dateF;

$or more in%ormation: please call >our NameF at our num4erF; (ankou %or our time and attention;

UUNoteB /istri4ute similar news releases %or eac( o% our events; !er(aps ou mig(tc(oose to su4mit a news release t(at presents an overview o% t(e entire week and t(ensu4mit an individual news release %or eac( event;



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SAM/LE /ROCLAMATION

A ES'


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SAM/LE WEEK

A ma,or component o% sc(eduling %or Awareness Week is to 4egin wit( &kick@o%%) eventsand work up to t(e larger events: even i% ou (ave onl a couple o% activities planned %ort(e week; !lanning our communit.s Awareness Week in t(is manner allows residentsin our communit to increase t(eir involvement as t(e week progresses; 0 doing t(is:ou s(ould (ave greater participation %or our larger events;

0elow is an outline o% a possi4le National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week; (issample (as 4een compiled %rom campuses and communities t(at (ave previousl (eldan Awareness Week; our organi;ation should determine how many and which eventswill be the most appropriate for your community. emem4er: i% ou are new to planningan awareness week: one or two %ocused events will 4e more e%%ective t(an %ive or si-

marginall organi8ed events; e%er 4ack to t(e &Suggested Activities) section p; 9F %ormore event ideas and details a4out t(e events listed 4elow;

Wee3endHold a &Homelessness Saturda or Sunda;) Have religious institutions suc( asc(urc(es: snagogues: temples: and mosues %ocus t(eir religious services on(omelessnesspovert issues;

Monday

Have a kick@o%% event to start a mone@raising or canned %ood4lanket drive competition;

T#esday

$aces o% Homelessness Speakers. !anel

Wednesday

&'ne Nig(t wit(out a Home) Awareness Sleep 'ut

T!#rsday

'-%am America.s Hunger 0anuet andor /ining Hall $ast

-riday

1; (ink Glo4all: Act locall@ Was(ington: /;+; isn.t t(e onl place t(at lo44ing ispossi4le=

*; End@o%@t(e@week 4ene%it %estival; Have local musicians: canned %ood %or admission:donation collection: and in%ormation on (ow people can continue to 4e involved in(unger and (omelessness issues;



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Sat#rday'rgani8e a group to work at various communit service sites as part o% +ommunitService /a; (roug(out t(e week: (ave sign@up s(eets availa4le;

Sat#rday6S#ndaySet up a Homeless +(allenge !ro,ect: see pages *3@*5 %or details;

)ememberE

/uring National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week: as communit mem4ers 4eginto reall t(ink a4out (unger and (omelessness issues: it is crucial t(at ou providein%ormation on (ow t(e can take action a%ter Awareness Week (as concluded; !rovidet(em wit( t(e %ollowing in%ormation and an ot(er material t(at ou 4elieve is important%or our own communit;

C (e name: address: email: and p(one num4er o% a local s(elter at w(ic( t(ecan volunteer;

C (e names: addresses and p(one num4ers o% local: state: and national(omeless coalitions and advocac groups w(ic( t(e can ,oin; +ontact t(enational organi8ations listed at t(e end o% t(is packet to 4e re%erred to t(eir locala%%iliates;

C In%ormation a4out writing Mem4ers o% +ongress;

C In%ormation a4out Alternative 0reaks: w(ic( allow communit mem4ers to spenda weeklong 4reak doing service; +all ,rea3A0ay at :)''; ?> or at!ttp466alternati%ebrea3s@or$ %or more in%ormation;

Wrappin$(Up A0areness Wee3

W(en National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week (as concluded: t(ere will still 4ea %ew loose ends t(at ou will need to tie up; $irst: remem4er to send t(ank ou lettersto all o% our contacts and our support network; >ou or ot(er Awareness Weekorgani8ers will pro4a4l re%er to t(ese same people in t(e %uture; Also: meet wit( ourteam to discuss w(at went rig(t and w(at went wrong during Awareness Week; Makesure everone evaluates t(eir own pro,ect: as well as (ow t(e viewed Awareness Weekas a w(ole; Gat(er t(ese individual and group evaluations to comprise a resource %olderPone t(at ou and ot(er groups will 4e a4le to re%er to in %ollowing ears; (is resourcewill allow ou to (ave a %oundation upon w(ic( to 4uild our %uture Awareness Weeks;

AN/O



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Contact the National Coalition for the Homeless and let us know how yourAwareness Week was received by the community send us newspaperclippings posters commentary and other news!

-ACES O- HOMELESSNESS /ANEL

W!at is a -a.es /anel1

A $aces !anel provides an opportunit %or dialogue 4etween (omeless or %ormerl (omelesspersons wit( t(ose w(o want to learn more a4out (omelessness; (e !anel mem4ers speak a4outt(eir e-periences and answer uestions %rom t(e audience;

W!y do a -a.es /anel1

(e $aces !anel makes a ver power%ul impact on t(ose w(o attend; !eople are provided wit( a

personal connection to t(e (omeless statistics t(at t(e (ave (eard; Mt(s can 4e dispelled andstereotpes can 4e 4roken down as t(e audience gets a c(ance to interact wit( (omelesspeople; Audience mem4ers can listen to t(e perspectives and stories o% t(ose w(o are (omelessand (ear t(eir ideas %or solutions to (unger and (omelessness issues;

Tips or Re.r#itin$ Ho"eless /eople as Spea3ers4

C I% ou know (omeless people w(o would like to speak: ask t(em directl;

C Send letters tocall our local s(elters asking t(em i% someone %rom t(eir s(elterwould like to speak; It.s good to get a %ew &success stories) o% people w(o are nolonger (omeless: as well as stories o% people w(o are currentl (omeless; I% oucontact t(e s(elter: ou need to make %ollow@up calls to make sure t(e speakers

will come; Sometimes s(elters are not willing to let t(eir clients speak; S(elterst(at (ouse women %leeing domestic a4use: %amilies: or out(: o%ten want t(eirclients to concentrate on t(eir own pro4lems and are sometimes protective; I%possi4le: organi8e a diverse group o% speakers age: race: se-:(omeless%ormerl (omelessF;

C Make sure to arrange transportation %or our speakers t(is can include givingt(em 4usca4 %are or simpl picking t(em up; Sometimes t(e s(elter will assigna sta%% mem4ervolunteer to transport t(e client to and %rom t(e event;

C Make sure to contact t(e s(elter and in%orm t(em t(at a resident will 4e speaking

on our campus: and ensure t(at t(e speakersF will not lose t(eir 4eds %or t(enig(t i% t(e return late;

C 0e sure to compensate t(e (omeless%ormerl (omeless speakers wit( an(onorariumB QL7 is a suggested amount %or local speakers: 4ut %eel %ree to givemore;

C Invite t(e (omeless%ormerl (omeless speakers to eat in our sc(ool ca%eteria4e%ore t(e event;



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Ot!er4

C Make sure to get t(e communit and campus media to cover t(e event;+onsider videotaping t(e panel;

C o get t(e speakers started: meet wit( t(em 4e%ore(and and ask t(at t(eaddress t(e %ollowing in t(eir presentationsBB i% t(e are %ormerl (omeless Pw(at t(eir li%e was like 4e%ore (omelessness: w(at t(eir li%e was like w(ile t(ewere (omeless: w(at 4roug(t t(em out o% (omelessness: and (ow t(eir li%e iscurrentl; I% t(e speakers are currentl (omeless: (ave t(em s(are w(at t(eir li%ewas like 4e%ore (omelessness: w(at it is like to 4e (omeless: and w(at t(eir(opes and dreams are %or t(e %uture; Ideall: eac( speaker s(ould talk %or 17@15minutes;

C ake uestions %rom t(e %loor; et t(e audience know t(at no uestion t(at is o%%limits; >ou s(ould mention t(at some speakers will get a little emotional or riledup i% posed wit( certain uestions; E-pect tears w(en people are asked a4out

t(eir contactrelations(ips wit( %amil; $rancine: a speaker %or t(e National+oalition %or t(e Homeless: invited a student to give (er a (ug a%ter t(e studentsaid: wit( tears running down (er %ace: t(at s(e was sorr t(at (er mot(er gave(er t(e wrong perception o% (omeless people; Anot(er speaker: Ko(n: wrote asong a4out 4eing (omeless and not one ee in a room was dr a%ter it wasper%ormed;

C '4tain a moderator to introduce t(e speakers; (is moderator s(ould 4esomeone t(at knows a4out (omelessness on a local or national level; It can 4e astudent (omeless activist; It is sometimes (ard %or (omeless people to relate topeople wit( (omes: and vice versa; (ere%ore: it is necessar %or t(e moderatorto act as a 4ridge 4etween t(e two; (e moderator can also inter,ect statistics

and ot(er important in%ormation in 4etween t(e stories o% t(e speakers;Generall: t(e moderator is a local advocatestudent w(o is working on(omelessness issues;

$or more in%ormation: contact wit( t(e National +oalition %or t(e Homeless at *7*FL"*L2** or speakers4ureaunational(omeless;org



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ONE NIGHT WITHOUT A HOMEB

&'ne Nig(t Wit(out a Home) Awareness Sleep 'ut takes place nationall duringAwareness Week;

(e &'ne Nig(t) is an opportunit %or residents to spend a nig(t outside to discuss: t(ink:and learn a4out (omelessness; Alt(oug( one nig(t outside can in no wa simulate(omelessness: t(is awareness@raising activit can promote advocac: protest: andeducation;

-or"atC &'ne Nig(t Wit(out a Home) usuall lasts %or a4out 1* (ours: suc( as %rom #pm

until morning;

C /evelop our mission statement; Address t(e uestions o% w(o: w(at: w(ere:w(en: and w(D

C Make sure to receive permission rig(t awa %rom our cit or count o%%icials andcommunitsc(ool administrators concerning location: securit: and ot(erlogistics;

C Invite (omeless%ormerl (omeless people: communit leaders: residents andcommunit spokespersons to speak;

C +(oose an appropriate site central to communit activitiesF;C Ask local 4usinesses %or donations %ood: drinks: supplies: moneF;



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C Ask ot(er groups to co@sponsor t(e event: suc( as organi8ations e;g; $ood Not0om4s: Ha4itat %or HumanitF t(at can serve %ood to (omeless guests;

C !repare group discussion topics t(at will promote interaction among allparticipants;

C 0egin t(e nig(t wit( a vigil or a marc( to draw attention: and participants: to t(e

event;C Include in%ormation %or participants to act upon w(at t(e.ve learned communit

service: letter writing: advocac organi8ationsF;

C In t(e morning: allow time %or participants to s(are t(eir t(oug(ts and concerns;

Sa"ple A$enda"B77 p;m; Gat(er participants and provide transportation %or (omeless%ormerl

(omeless guests#B77 p;m; Serve co%%ee andor a meal

2B77 p;m; Speakerscandlelig(t vigilmusic9B77 p;m; /iscussion groups11B77 p;m; ate nig(t %ood linemusic#B77 a;m; 0reak%ast closing remarkswrap@up

Additional s#$$estions

C 0e mind%ul o% w(at ou 4ring; Jeep in mind t(e situation t(at ou are simulatingdo not 4ring an o4,ects or goodies t(at t(ose wit(out a (ome most likel lack;/o not 4ring cell p(ones: laptop computers: I@pads or porta4le radios; Sta awa%rom (aving pi88a delivered; $or college groups: alco(olic 4everages are notallowed;

C +ontact local s(elters or (omeless advocates a4out 4ringing (omeless people toour event; Ask t(ese contacts to participate in t(e Nig(t as well;

C Ask local musicians to pla; Music 4rings people toget(er;C /istri4ute %act s(eets and in%ormation a4out (unger and (omelessness and t(e

ot(er events %or Awareness Week;

C Make sure to recruit ot(er people to participate in our earl planning stages; Ask

(omeless%ormerl (omeless people: students: %acult: and communit mem4ers;C Invite t(e media;C !ost a list o% rules on t(e nig(t o% t(e event; (ese ma includeB 1F no drugs or

alco(ol: *F do not interrupt t(ose w(o are speaking: 3F respect all views: LF donot leave t(e site; Also: post and announce t(e agenda: people in c(arge:4at(room locations: indoor sites: %ood and %irst aid stations; >ou ma c(oose toput a container out %or donations; Have a %acilitator to mediate an disputes t(atma arise;



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C Set aside some time %or group discussion a4out (unger and (omelessness inour communit andor in our nation; !rovide paper and pencils %or people to ,otdown t(eir ideas; (is is a good time to promote %uture pro,ects: suc( as a da o%%asting;

Wrap(Up

Appoint a committee to dra%t a group resolution 4ased on t(e discussions t(at nig(t;Esta4lis( a common ground %or participants w(o would like to take %uture action; +ollectnames: p(one num4ers: and email addresses o% people %or %uture re%erence and provideaccess to in%ormation on local service sites;$or more in%ormation: contact t(e National +oalition %or t(e Homeless at *7*F L"*@L2**

HOMELESS CHALLENGE /ROECT

+(allenge t(e people and leaders o% our communit to take a Homeless +(allenge %ormerlcalled t(e ur4an plungeF: a li%e@altering e-perience wit( t(e power to e%%ect c(ange; (is programasks individuals %rom economicall privileged 4ackgrounds to give up ever da t(ings i;e; cellp(ones: warm 4ed: and s(elterF: and live on t(e streets as a person e-periencing (omelessness;(e e-perience tpicall lasts %or L2 (ours;

(e Homeless +(allenge serves as an educational tool providing awareness to t(ose w(oparticipate; W(ile a participant cannot e-perience (omelessness entirel: w(en a 4ed and %oodawaits t(em at (ome: t(e +(allenge does o%%er insig(t into t(e li%e o% a person wit(out a (ome Vwaiting in soup lines: walking great distances to access services: and %eeling invisi4le. to t(ose w(o

are not (omeless;

Ho0 to ,e$in

$or a detailed manual a4out t(e Homeless +(allenge as coordinated 4 t(eNational +oalition %or t(e Homeless in Was(ington: /+ contactB



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Spea3ers ,#rea# Coordinator!(oneB *7*F L"*@L2** $a-B *7*F L"*@L2*3EmailB speakers4ureaunational(omeless;org

(e Homeless +(allenge works 4est i% coordinated wit( guides eit(er currentl (omeless

or %ormerl (omeless peoplesF w(o can sta t(roug(out t(e nig(t wit( participants %orsecurit reasons; Make sure to recruit enoug( guides suc( t(at eac( guide stas wit( ama-imum o% %ive participants to avoid large crowds w(ic( mig(t draw attention; Inaddition: a small ratio o% guides to participants allows %or eac( participant to partake ingenuine conversation wit( a person w(o is e-periencing or (as e-perienced(omelessness: as well as s(are t(eir da.s e-periences wit( t(eir guide and wit( t(eot(er participants;

2ontact local shelters for recommendations of potential guides and to notify staff of yourplans. 8or contact information of local shelters or homeless coalitions, contact theNational 2oalition for the Homeless.httpFGGwww.nationalhomeless.orgGdirectoriesGdirectoryadvocacy.pdf

emem4er to o%%er an (onorarium to our guides V i;e; Q57 per guide: per nig(t

/ersonal /reparation Tips

C /ress in our worst clot(es t(e s(ould 4e oldcom%orta4le: items ou wont mind gettingdirt;

C 0ring along one piece o% I/ and 4ur it in our sock

C Wear no ,ewelr or watc(es;

C e%rain %rom taking a s(ower %or at least two das 4e%ore 4eginning t(e c(allenge; Nocologne: deodorant or use o% scented soap; u4 unscented 4a4 oil into our (air tomake it look as t(oug( our (air (asnt 4een was(ed in some time; $or menB dont s(ave%or %ive das 4e%ore starting t(e (omeless c(allenge;

C Wear e-tra laers o% clot(es even i% it is warm out; Homeless people wear e-tra clot(esas t(e (ave no place to store clot(es in t(e datime and it keeps t(em warm at nig(t;

C Wear roug(ed@up old s(oes;

C 0ring along a s(eet o% card4oard to use as a mattress; 'r t(is will 4e one o% t(e itemsou searc( %or upon (itting t(e streets;

C 0ring along an old 4lanket; Sleeping 4ags are oka: suc( as t(e %lannel ones: 4ut do notuse state@o%@t(e@art down sleeping 4ags; A s(eet o% plastic or a 4lack gar4age 4ag willalso 4e use%ul in case o% rain or snow;



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C Women are encouraged to 4ring along sanitar napkins: as s(elters do not alwas (avet(ese items availa4le %or %ree;

C Bring along a pack of cigarettes, plus matches, to share with homeless people Givingsomeone a cigarette is a good wa to start a conversation;

C !o nee" for #ou to take up smoking "uring the homeless challenge

A.ti%ities to Ta3e /art in 2#rin$ Do#r Ho"eless C!allen$e Eperien.e

C alk wit( and listen to ot(er (omeless people

C 0eg %or mone; +(allenge participants are sometimes reluctant to do t(is; Were taug(tt(at not(ing in li%e is %ree: t(at its 4etter not to ask people %or ant(ing; !an(andle ric(and poor alike; >oure likel to get a 4etter response %rom t(e so@called &working poor);Split up: 4ut keep our partner in sig(t; !an(andle %or at least two (ours; e@group to seew(o was t(e most success%ul and w(at tec(niues worked 4est; A%ter completing t(ec(allenge: ou ma give t(e mone t(at ou collect to ot(er (omeless people ouencounter on t(e streets or to our local (ost organi8ation w(o will see its gets to t(euns(eltered (omeless

C Sleep outside; /ont e-pect to get muc( sleep as t(e police or private securit guardsmig(t c(ase ou o%%;

C 2o not stay in s!eltersas ou ma 4e taking awa a 4ed %rom someone w(o reallneeds it; Sleep outside: regardless o% t(e weat(er: wit( t(e uns(eltered (omeless;However: (ang out in: or in %ront o%: s(elters: da centers: etc; to get to know our %ellow

(omeless people;

C Go into ca%eterias and %ast %ood restaurants to look %or %ood scraps le%t on t(e ta4les;/on.t ask %or permission %rom t(e manager;


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C $ind a (ig(l visi4le place to sleep e;g; park 4enc(: (eatsteam grate: 4us stop 4enc(F;Go to t(ese places late at nig(t to guarantee ou are not taking awa someones %avoritespot; I% t(is some(ow (appens: give up our spot and move somew(ere else; Have ourpartner sta awake at all times; /o t(is in two@(our s(i%ts;

C Go dumpster diving in searc( o% %ood and reccla4le materials; >ou mig(t 4e s(ocked 4t(e a4undance %rom t(e streets;Watc( out %or needles;


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MI2NIGHT RUN

Get a group toget(er and distri4ute %ood: clot(ing or toiletries to t(ose in need on t(e streets;

1; $ind out w(o is interested and advertise t(e opportunit*; !ick a date and time earl evening works 4estF3; /ecide w(at ou want to distri4ute@clot(ing: %ood: toiletries or a com4ination; +ollect

or purc(ase supplies needed; (en make 4ags to organi8e t(e donations so t(e areeas to distri4ute;

L; Go out on %oot or via ve(icle onto t(e streets in our communit and engage inconversation wit( t(ose w(om ou encounter and ask t(em i% t(e would like w(at ou(ave to o%%er t(em;

(e dialogueconversation ou (ave wit( eac( person ou meet is t(e most important part;$or more in%ormation please c(eck out t(is we4site (ttpBmidnig(trun;org(owto;p(p

A tpical outreac( run will last %or up to two (ours: 4ut it depends on (ow man t(ings ou (ave and(ow man people ou encounter;



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OF-AM AMERICA5S 2INING HALL -AST

(is event is great %or (ig( sc(ool and college campuses t(at o%%er meal plans;

&/ining (alls on most campuses are operated 4 a %ood service compan t(at contracts wit( t(esc(ool to prepare and serve students. meals; 'n t(e da o% our /ining Hall $ast: students agreeto give up one meal: and t(e %ood service compan agrees to donate a percentage o% t(e cost o%t(at meal to '-%am; In most cases: t(e compan cannot donate t(e %ull cost: since it needs tocover t(eir normal over(ead e-penses: including paing dining (all sta%%; Some students (avesuccess%ull arranged to collect t(e unused portions o% student meal plans at t(e end o% eac(

semester and donate t(ose %unds to '-%am;) www;o-%amamerica;orgF

Go to t(e www;o-%amamerica;org%or more detailed in%ormation and download a %ree toolkit;

G#idelines

C $tart early.0egin our planning %our to eig(t weeks a(ead to ensure t(e dining (all (asplent o% time to prepare: and ou (ave plent o% time to pu4lici8e;

C 2ontact your school9s dining service. alk wit( t(e %ood service director and e-plain t(edetails o% t(e %ast and w(at ou need %rom t(e dining service;

C )ecruit Help.Gat(er volunteers to (elp sign@up %asters: sta%% in%ormation ta4les: and gett(e word out;

C /ublici;e. !ut up posters: (and out 4roc(ures: and set up in%ormation ta4les; '-%am canprovide t(e materials ou need; Send a press release to campus and local media or placean ad in our sc(ool newspaper; Get t(e president o% our sc(ool or a prominent guest to

,oin our /ining Hall $ast;C 7ducate.Help participants understand w( t(eir involvement is essential; isit '-%am.s

we4 siteP www;o-%amamerica;orgact%astP%or %ree materials ou can pass out at ourevent;

Wrap(Up

C A%ter t(e $ast: send t(ank ou letters to t(e %ood service sta%% and ot(ercontri4utors; ell t(em to include t(eir names and contact in%ormation wit( t(eirdonations to '-%am America; Make sure ou receive a p(otocop o% t(e c(eck%or our records;

C Evaluate our event; ecord w(at went well and w(at did not %or %uturere%erence;

I% ou are interested in t(is event: please contactB



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Oa" A"eri.aAttnF A2T 8A$T

**" +ausewa Street: 5t($loor

0oston: MA 7*11L@**7"EmailB act%asto-%amamerica;org: We4siteB www;o-%amamerica;orgoll $reeB 277@##@'X$AM 277@##"@93*"F $a-B "1#F #*2@*5#3HUNGER ,ANUET

Anot(er %undawareness@raising event recommend 4 '-%am America is a Hunger0anuet; An '-%am America Hunger 0anuet dramati8es t(e uneual distri4ution o%%ood in t(e world; (e 0anuet will leave man (ungr: some wit( ,ust enoug(: and ver%ew wit( %ull stomac(s; Mone is raised t(roug( a standard admission c(arge andor 4gat(ering donations;

Hunger 0anuet participants are randoml assigned to one o% t(ree socio@economic

levels t(at represent proportional glo4al standards@o%@living; 'ut o% ever 177 people: 15en,o a %ull@course meal complete wit( roal treatment: *5 sit in a simple setting and eata meager meal suc( as rice and 4eansF: and t(e remaining "7 s(are rice: wit(oututensils: w(ile sitting on t(e %loor;

Steps

C +all Oa" A"eri.a at )''((OF-AM; (e $ast eam will provide ou wit(materials and (elp ou organi8e a Hunger 0anuet;

C Gat(er interested people in our Awareness Week team to (elp co@coordinate

t(e event;C Esta4lis( a time and place; $or e-ample: sc(ool ca%eterias and student unionsare ideal locations: 4ut will reuire agreements wit( t(e administration and diningservice;

C Invite local cele4rities to t(e eventPlocal media stars will generate pu4licit andgreater pu4lic response;

C Ask local restaurants to donate %ood;C Send invitations wit( S!s; (e invitations s(ould include endorsers: special

guests: and sponsors;C !repare t(e materials %or t(e event; (ese materials include %act s(eets ou can

get in%ormation a4out glo4al (unger %rom '-%am AmericaF: menus: posters: aprogram c(eck wit( '-%am America %or a suggested scriptF: and colored or

num4ered tickets 15Y (ig(@income: *5Y middle@income: and "7Y low@incomeF;C !u4lici8e= Send out news releases and use ot(er pu4licit strategies see t(e

media section in t(is packetF to gat(er as man participants as possi4le;C 'n t(e da o% t(e 4anuet: set up t(e room accordingl; Make sure t(e %irst

group (as an ela4orate setting and service: w(ile t(e t(ird group (as onl t(e4are essentials;



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$or more in%ormation a4out t(is event: please contactB

Oa" A"eri.aAttnF A2T 8A$T

**" +ausewa Street: 5

t(

$loor0oston: MA 7*11L @ **7"EmailB act%asto-%amamerica;org:oll $reeB 277@##@'X$AM 277@##"@93*"F $a-B "1#F #*2@*5#3We4siteB www;o-%amamerica;org

O--ERING O- LETTERS

0read %or t(e World is an advocac organi8ation w(ic( lo44ies %or pu4lic policies t(ataddress t(e needs o% (ungr and poor people in our nation and around t(e world; Eac(ear: 0read %or t(e World sponsors an '%%ering o% etters campaign; In t(is campaign:

participants write letters to Mem4ers o% +ongress in order to impact polic decisions;+ontact 0read %or t(e World %or t(eir speci%ic %ocus %or t(is ear: *71*; Start 4 usingt(eir we4siteB www;4read;org'

C !u4lici8e e-tensivel 4e%ore t(e actual letter writing campaign; As wit( ot(erevents during National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week: send out newsreleases: post %lers: and utili8e ot(er media; (is wa: communit mem4ers willknow 4ot( locations and times to eit(er write a letter or drop one o%%;

C /ecide w(en ou would like to (ave an '%%ering o% etters campaign duringAwareness Week; Some communities set up a 4oot( %or one da: w(ile ot(ercommunities (ave distri4uted letter writing in%ormation %ollowing t(e events during

Awareness Week;

C $ind names and contact in%ormation o% +ongressional representatives %or ourdistrict;

C Ask local 4usinesses and sponsors to 4u postage: envelopes: pens: and paper;

C Handwritten letters are 4est dra%t a sample letter t(at communit mem4ers canreplicate @ please contact 0read %or t(e World %or sample letters; Somecommunit mem4ers ma (ave never written to t(eir +ongressionalrepresentatives so make t(is e-perience as convenient and straig(t%orward as

possi4le to encourage successive letter writing;

C !rovide in%ormation a4out (unger and (omelessness during t(e letter writing sot(at communit mem4ers can include compelling statistics%acts in t(eir letters ont(e need %or supportive legislation; >ou can o4tain t(is in%ormation %rom 0read%or t(e World;



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C


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>ou don.t (ave to talk a4out a speci%ic piece o% legislation; It is appropriate to discuss(omelessness: (unger: or povert in general: 4ut do 4e speci%ic on t(e actions t(at ouwould like to see taken; $or current polic recommendations visit t(e N+H we4site atwww;national(omeless;orgadvocac; (e we4site 4reaks down issues into %our di%%erentareasB civil rig(ts: (ousing ,ustice: economic ,ustice: and (ealt( care ,ustice;

W!at S!o#ld I Say or 2o1

C Make sure ou identi% oursel% as a constituent: and as a participant in a Hungerand Homeless Awareness Week;

C Go in a small 4ut diverse group no more t(an %ive peopleF to s(ow t(at a widerange o% citi8ens care a4out (unger and (omelessness;

C 0e concise and clear and answer uestions as 4est as possi4le;

C Make sure to tell t(em w(at our opinions are and s(are an relevant personal

e-periences;

C It is 4est to listen closel and provide in%ormation w(en ou can; +onsider takinga notepad wit( ou and ,otting down some ke points during t(e conversation:t(is will also s(ow ou.re listening and interested in w(at t(e are saing; (emeeting s(ould 4e a dialogue not an attack or a rant;

C $eel %ree to make a one page %act s(eet to leave wit( t(e o%%ice so t(e (ave areminder o% w(at was said;

W!at S!o#ld I NOT Say or 2o1

C /on.t overw(elm an elected o%%icial or t(eir sta%%ers; Jeep our group to %ive orless;

C /on.t 4e disrespect%ul: argumentative: or con%rontational; (e ma not agreewit( ou on t(is issue: 4ut i% ou.re negative t(e ma not listen to ou in t(e%uture;

C /on.t make up %acts; It is oka to sa: &I don.t know: I.ll (ave to get 4ack to ou ont(at) i% ou can.t answer a uestion; Kust 4e sure to actuall %ollow up wit(in%ormation ou promised;

O3ay* so I 7isited "y Ele.ted Oi.ial* No0 W!at1

Send a %ollow@up letter t(anking t(em %or t(eir time; eiterate our opinion: and i% t(emade an commitments during t(e meeting repeat our understanding o% t(eir plan o%action;



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ORGANIATIONAL CONTACTS

(e %ollowing includes a list o% national organi8ations t(at could provide ou %urt(erin%ormation and support %or organi8ing National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Weekin our communit;

,read or t!e World57 $ Street: NW: Suite 577Was(ington: /+ *7771!(oneB *7*F "39@9L77 and 277F 2*@0EA/$a-B *7*F "39@9L71EmailB 4read4read;orgWe4siteB www;4read;org'>(ffering of *etters?

,rea3 A0ay*L51 +um4erland !arkwaSuite 31*L

Atlanta: GA 37339oll $ree 277F@973@7"L"EmailB 4reakawaalternative4reaks;orgWe4siteB www;alternative4reaks;org



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>Alternative 3reaks?

C!#r.! World Ser%i.e*2"7" !(illips Street

!;'; 0o- 9"2Elk(art: IN L"515EmailB in%oc(urc(worldservice;org!(oneB 5#L@*"L@317*oll $reeB 1@277@*9#@151"$a-4 5#LF *"*@79"">2)(/ Walk?

E"pty ,o0ls!;'; 0o- 1"290urnsville: N+ *2#1L

EmailB imagineena(oo;com!(oneB 2*2@"#5@9"3">7mpty 3owls event?

Habitat or H#"anity+ontact a%%iliates in our area;

In%ormation can 4e %ound atB www;(a4itat;org!(oneB1@277@L**@L2*2EmailB pu4licin%o(%(i;orgU$or in%ormation a4out out( or collegiate volunteeringB www;(a4itatout(programs;org@

>3uildingG)enovating Homes?

National Coalition or t!e Ho"eless**71 ! St;: NW

Was(ington: /+ *773#@1733!(oneB *7*F L"*@L2** $a-B *7*F L"*@L2*3EmailB speakers4ureaunational(omeless;orgWe4siteB www;national(omeless;org

National St#dent Ca"pai$n A$ainst H#n$er & Ho"elessnessNational

'rgani8ing '%%iceBL7# S; /ear4orn: Suite #71+(icago: I "7"75!(oneB 31*F 5LL@LL3"$a-B 31*F *#5@#157

We4siteB www;studentsagainst(unger;org+ontactB Megan $it8gerald

meganstudentsagainst(unger;org



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Oa" A"eri.a'-%am America

AttnB A+ $AS**" +ausewa St;: 5t( $loor0oston: MA 7*11L@**7"

oll $reeB 277@##@'X$AM 277@##"@93*"F$a-B "1#F #*2@*59LEmailB act%asto-%amamerica;orgWe4siteB www;o-%amamerica;org>8ast for a World Harvest and Hunger 3an&uet?

Documents

NCH AwarenessWeekManual