Kent State University’s Office of Experiential Education and Civic Engagement will host the fourth annual Oxfam Social Issues Banquet on Thursday, Nov. 21, from 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Kent Student Center Ballroom. The banquet is free and open to the public.
The Oxfam Social Issues Banquet is part of a series of events hosted during Hunger Awareness and Action Week. It consists of a hunger stimulation event designed to increase awareness of the distribution of food across socio-economic classes. The goal of the event is to explore the impact of hunger on global and local communities. Attendees will partake in rich discussions about the issues of poverty while taking part in a limited meal.
The Office of Experiential Education and Civic Engagement has invited local experts to lead engaging table topic discussions on food insecurities, nutrition, sustainable living, housing and homelessness, food economy, public policy and the geography of poverty.
Faculty, staff, students and community members can also participate in a “Meet and Greet” with local social service agency representatives following the event from 2:15-3:30 p.m. The “Meet and Greet” will offer an opportunity to explore the challenges facing social service agencies and focus on the exchange of physical, social and intellectual resources. Attendees can make a commitment to offer their talents and skills to support local organizations’ efforts.
“The banquet serves as a platform to offer guests hands-on insights into the inequalities in food distribution and to become more informed of the various ways that Kent State is using experiential learning as a means of supporting local efforts that address poverty and other social issues,” says Tina L. Kandakai, director for the Office of Experiential Education and Civic Engagement.
In addition to the banquet, other events are slated for this week. Students in the fall 2013 Art of the Theatre honors course will participate in a theatre performance on Wednesday, Nov. 20, from 1-1:45 p.m. in the EZ Black Box Theatre at Kent State’s Center for the Performing Arts. Admission is also free to this event, but audience members are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item, which will be donated to the Center of Hope in Ravenna.
All Oxfam-related events are free and open to the public. Proper attire is recommended as seating is limited. Registration is open up to the day of the banquet. To register for the banquet, visit www.kent.edu/oeece or type www.tinyURL.com/2013oxfam directly into your browser.
For more information about the banquet, call the Office of Experiential Education and Civic Engagement at 330-672-7876 or email Kandakai at tkandaka@kent.edu.