In the same county where Auburn students are spending their dining dollars like Monopoly money, one in five children will go to bed hungry tonight.
The Service Challenge, a weeklong event beginning Saturday, will challenge students to address this and other problems in the community.
The event is hosted as part of the Civic Engagement portion of the Challenge, a two-week initiative designed to help students become involved in areas in which they are passionate.
"If you don't go to bed hungry, you're blessed, especially when you look at the conditions of other people living in Lee County," said Mary Elizabeth Haynes, junior in communications disorders and civic engagement planning coordinator.
"I think some of the schools in Loachapoka or Notasulga had to cut their water fountains off during the day because they can't pay their water bill.
"Everyone who is here at Auburn has been blessed with opportunity. We want to equip them to serve and make a difference."
Emily Crane, senior in elementary education, is the leader of Auburn's civic engagement team.
"The Service Challenge is challenging Auburn students to take some time during the week of Feb. 26 to March 1 and spend it doing something for someone other than themselves," Crane said. "Service can be done a ton of different ways: you can volunteer with the kids or you can go eat with the elderly.
"We don't really care what students do, we just want them to help out in some way."
Crane said the initiative began with Ainsley Carry, vice president for Student Affairs, as a way to do something with the different service aspects of Auburn and to reach out to other SEC schools.
Both the University of Georgia and the University of Alabama have pledged to serve during this week as well.
"We're really hoping that this just sparks Auburn students to get more plugged in with more global initiatives and to be made more globally aware, because oftentimes Auburn is such a bubble that students might hear the statistics and be horrified, but not do anything about it," Crane said.
The Service Challenge will include a documentary screening through International Justice Mission, a "How to Use Your Skills" panel, a global map with service opportunities and Concourse events that promote global awareness.
"We're hoping that this will help students make it their own," Crane said. "There are a bunch of organizations on campus, so either helping students get involved in those or start their own and do something long-lasting that will impact not only Auburn, but the world around us."
With an extra day in February for leap year, Haynes said the Service Challenge is encouraging students to make the most of that time.
"Right now we are students at Auburn, and we are in a community with people who are hungry, who are poor and who need help just like those around the world," Haynes said.
"This part of the challenge is recognizing the need abroad, but also at home."
Rebekah Cowart, senior in elementary education and civic engagement assistant coordinator, said the Service Challenge aims to promote involvement and awareness even after college.
"The challenge is encouraging students to give back once they leave Auburn," Cowart said. "Whether that's working for a nonprofit or just volunteering in certain places, it's good for students to see where alumni have gone out and done things in the world."
Haynes said they plan to make the challenge an annual event.
"If students do get involved, we are at a stage in life where we can make it a habit," Cowart said. "I think it's important for students to get involved now.
"We truly are a force for good. I think that a lot of things can be solved if we start working, volunteering and giving back."
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