ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø

For many in our region who were affected by Hurricane Sandy, this Thanksgiving will hold special significance. This month, ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø is holding its traditional service projects and programs, placing extra emphasis on supporting Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.

Feed the Hungry and Homeless

On Saturday, November 17, students, faculty and staff will serve a pre-Thanksgiving meal, prepared and donated by ARAMARK Food Services, to the Trenton area homeless. ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø is responsible for providing about 400 meals as part of The Loaves and Fishes gathering at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Trenton. The 20-year tradition gives the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø community an opportunity to share its good fortune. Homemade or store-bought cookie donations are needed. Please drop them off by the end of the day on Thursday, November 15, at Patricia Lutz’s office, Moore Library, Suite 120. For more information on how to volunteer, contact Chris De Frehn at defrehn@rider.edu, or Stacy Fischler Parrado at sfischler@rider.edu.

Thanksgiving Basket Drive

The entire University community is encouraged to participate in the annual Thanksgiving Basket Drive. Area agencies need more than 400 meals for Thanksgiving, a number that may rise dramatically due to Hurricane Sandy. A complete basket is made up of canned vegetables, gravy, canned sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, stuffing, juice, baked beans, canned fruit or applesauce, spaghetti sauce, pasta products, peanut butter, jelly, crackers, tuna, rice, and $15 to $20 for the turkey and pie in a packing box. For more information about basket contents, please contact the Office of Campus Life at 609-896-5327. The packing boxes can be dropped off in the Student Recreation Center Court #3 on Monday, November 19, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, please contact Dave Keenan at keenand@rider.edu.

Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week

ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø’s annual Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week will run from Monday, November 26, through Friday, November 30. The week is designed to raise awareness of the realities of homelessness and hunger in our society.

Monday, November 26

TASK: Lunch Serving

10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Volunteers are needed to serve lunch at the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK). Transportation will be provided. Contact Jane Sanchez at jsanchez@rider.edu to sign up.

Community Voices: SPEAK OUT!

8 p.m., North Hall, Room 202

Co-Sponsored by Alpha Phi Omega

Advocates will share their journeys of working in the surrounding communities. Come hear from the following community partners: Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, Covenant House, Rescue Mission of Trenton, and others. Refreshments will be served.

Tuesday, November 27

Bare Necessity Drive

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m., Daly Dining Hall

Donations of socks and undergarments will be accepted  for the Midnight Run, a volunteer organization that helps to find common ground between the housed and the homeless in New York City. Learn more at the information table and make a donation.

Worldwide Hunger Awareness Banquet

6 p.m., Poyda A Lounge

Co-Sponsored by Community Service Learning Community

The University community is invited to a free dinner. At this table, guests will gather and experience the food inequality of the world.

Wednesday, November 28

Brown Water: SHARE Project Edition

8 p.m., The Pub

A collaborative effort of live music and performances from the award-winning Trenton Area Soup Kitchen collective and ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø’s own talent.

Sleep Out for Homelessness

9 p.m., Campus Mall

Co-Sponsored by RHA and Greek Life

Think inside the box for a night. Experience a night of solidarity sleeping outside as we raise awareness for homelessness.

Thursday, November 29

Peanut Butter Jelly Time!

11 a.m. to 2 p.m., SRC Atrium

Co-Sponsored by LASO, BSU and ROCAS

Stop by and make a sandwich or two. All sandwiches will be donated by Aramark to the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen and the Rescue Mission of Trenton.

Documentary: Food Stamped

8 p.m., Mercer Room

Co-Sponsored by Sigma Phi Epsilon

Is it possible to have a healthy, well-balanced diet on a food stamp budget? This informative and humorous documentary features a couple’s journey as they take a deeper look and consult key players in America’s broken food system.

Friday, November 30

Feed the Children

6 to 9 p.m., North Brunswick

Co-Sponsored by Intervarsity Christian Fellowship

Feed the Children is an international, nonprofit relief organization that delivers food, clothing and other necessities to individuals who lack these essentials due to poverty. Volunteer to help package food that will be sent to these families. Transportation is provided. Contact Jane Sanchez at jsanchez@rider.edu to sign up.

Holiday Lighting Ceremony

8 p.m., Moore Library

Support ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø’s university-wide Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. Monetary donations will be accepted at the event.