SAMPLE DIALOGUE FIVE

Topic: Hunger and Homelessness Week November 17 – 23, 2002

Goal or Objective: To discuss the root causes of hunger and homelessness and to discuss how these issues have impacted and will continue to impact student’s lives

Day, Date, Time, Duration: May 1, 2002 (approximately 2 hours)

Location: Campus Dining Hall

Format:

Participants:

Other invited guests/experts: None

Press/Public Relations:

		• There is plenty of food worldwide to feed the existing human population. In fact, the world produces 10% more food today than is needed to feed everyone. • Experts estimate that if we fully funded federal assistance programs, we could end domestic hunger in five years. • In no state does a full-time minimum wage job cover the cost of a one bedroom unit at Fair Market Rent. (National Coalition for the Homeless) • 1 in 3 children in the United States is at risk of suffering from hunger. (Urban Institute) • During the past year, requests for emergency shelter by families in ten major U.S. cities increases by 23 percent. (U.S. Conference of Mayors) • More than 800 million people suffer from hunger worldwide. (Bread for the World) • Approximately 36-45% of the individuals who experience homelessness are employed. (Urban Institute) • In the United States, more than 750,000 people are homeless on any given night. (National Alliance to End Homelessness) • Over 31 million Americans suffer from hunger or are food insecure. (Food Resource Action Center) • The average age of a homeless person is 9. (Homes for the Homeless) • During the past year, requests for emergency food assistance increased 17%. (U.S. Conference of Mayors) • On average, people remain homeless for 5 months. (Better Homes Fund) - Statistics courtesy of National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness

Next read the following quote that is often used to describe a potential shortfall of direct service with simply a charity orientation:

“Doing service as a college student was such a meaningful experience for me. I hope that my children have the opportunity to do service in homeless shelters someday.”

After reading the quote, have the group brainstorm the benefits of direct service in homeless shelters and possible negative consequences of this direct service approach. In the following discussions try to think about what it would mean if there were homeless shelters for our children to work in, imagine if there weren’t. What are the root causes of homeless shelters and soup kitchens, and how can we work to deepen our service to address the immediate needs of these shelters, while working constantly toward to the long term goal of ending the need for such shelters?

LARGE GROUP

What are the outcomes- positive and negative- of direct service done by college students at homeless shelters? You can list these things on a chalkboard of big piece of paper.

SMALL GROUPS

Next, have the group break into smaller groups of 4-5 people and discuss the above quote focusing on the following questions:

• How can you connect these actions with public policy changes that will make it less likely for hunger and homelessness to exist in 20 years?
• What are the homeless and hunger issues facing the people in the communities surrounding your campus? Do you know of people working for your college or university who are struggling with hunger or homelessness?
• What groups in your community or on your campus are working to address these issues? What different methods are they using? What have been some successes, and some struggles?
• What specific actions can you take on your campus to promote awareness of hunger and homelessness?

LARGE GROUP REPORT AND ACTION PLANNING

Report out on the small groups ideas and write them down on flip chart. Ask if there is an interest in following-up on some of the ideas and use the momentum of the conversation to implement the action plans.