News Briefs

Hunger and homelessness recognized in Oberlin

Throughout this week, members of the Ohio Public Interest Research Group organized events for Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.

Already there have been food and books donated to homeless shelters in the local areas. 150 students have signed up to give up one day of their campus dining service meals on Dec. 3 in order to donate the money to local shelters. Senior Margaux Shields, OPIRG co-chair and treasurer, said she hopes to reach last year's level of participation, when 600 Oberlin students gave up their meals.

Other events will also be held this weekend. On Saturday there is a canned food drive at Missler's and IGA from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Speakers from RESULTS, a non-profit lobbying organization that works to develop solutions for world hunger and poverty, will be heard in King 106 at 3 p.m. After the meeting, at 4:30 p.m., there will be a vigil and bonfire in Tappan Square with the speakers. To conclude the week's events, a "Sleep Out, Speak Out" will be held in Wilder Bowl from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.

All the events this week are merely attempts at raising political and local awareness of hunger and homelessness. OPIRG does not wish to focus on this issue for only seven days a year, but hopes to lead others to partake in action year round.

Other sponsors of the event are Habitat for Humanity, Residential Life and Services and RESULTS.

-Miranda Reason