The Committee of 19 kicked off Hunger Week by inviting Auburn University students, faculty and staff to join them in taking a stand against hunger.
This committee, which is represented by every school and college on Auburn's campus, interacts with the community to advocate food security while creating solutions throughout society.
"The Committee of 19 is something that is really unique to Auburn," said Committee of 19 President Meredith Hall. "We work hard to stay active in the community."
According to Hall, the committee was created in 2004 and since then has remained involved in introducing efforts to fight hunger issues.
Remembering that Alabama is the second hungriest state in the United States, the Committee will be raising money by hosting several events that will allow passionate individuals on Auburn's campus the opportunity to make a difference.
"I enjoyed participating in events during Hunger Week last year," said Kendall Manfra, sophomore in nutrition and dietetics. "Health and hunger issues are something that are important to me, and being able to participate in things like as Hunger Week can impact so many people. The smallest things can make huge changes."
The week, which began Monday, Oct. 20, will be filled with numerous activities that showcase issues correlated with hunger.
Hunger Week events consist of live music at Coffee Cat, dinner at Moe's Barbecue followed by a screening of Who Owns Water at Mama Mocha's and t-shirt sales on the Haley Concourse. Other special events such as the first-ever Toast a Farmer Banquet invites participants to prepare a potluck dish and gather on Oct. 22 at 6 p.m. in the Lowder Building to celebrate farmers around the world.
The highlight event of the week, the Empty Bowls Banquet, will take place Thursday, Oct. 23, at 7 p.m. in the Farmers' Pavilion located at Agricultural Heritage Park. Attendees will gather to fill bowls for the hungry in the community and around the world. The annual event will feature hand-crafted bowls from local artisans, live music performances, a soup dinner and a silent auction to benefit the East Alabama Food Bank.
"We've had a lot of turn out so far this week," said Committee of 19 Secretary Rachael Gamlin. " There was a good crowd at the benefit nights and movie screening. It's great to see so many people at our Hunger Week events."
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