Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week Logo

Join the Office of Campus Ministry in participating in the annual Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week November 17-23, 2024.

PRAY

Prayer for Hunger & Homelessness Week: Make us worthy, Lord, to serve our fellow men throughout the world, who live and die in poverty and hunger. Give them through our hands, this day, their daily bread, and by our understanding love, give peace and joy.

—­Blessed Pope Paul VI

Hunger & Homelessness Week Spiritual Challenge: I will express my gratitude to God for the food I receive through his providence by praying before and after every meal. I will not waste food, taking only what I need, remembering those who go without.

SERVE

Campus Ministry offers 14 weekly recurring service opportunities, as well as multiple monthly and one-off service activities. Please see below for opportunities to serve those experiencing food scarcity and homelessness during this week of Hunger and Homelessness Awareness.

  • Volunteer at the Cardinal Cupboard

    Monday November 18 - Friday November 22 | Between 12 - 5 PM | McMahon B105

    Limited volunteer slots are available throughout the week at the Cardinal Cupboard during Hunger or Homelessness Awareness week. The Cardinal Cupboard is Catholic University's food pantry, which provides non-perishable food items to any member of the university community that is experiencing food insecurity.
    Request a time to serve by emailing cua-service@cua.edu.

  • Fr. McKenna Center 

    Wednesday, November 20, 2024 | 6:55 - 9 AM | The Cellar

    Come serve breakfast to men experiencing homelessness at the McKenna Center! Please arrive at the Cellar by 6:55 am. Wear close-toed shoes and long pants. We will travel to the McKenna Center together and return by 9:00am. Please RSVP on The Nest. For questions or accommodations, please email cua-service@cua.edu.

  • Thanksgiving Meal Packing  

    Wednesday, November 20, 2024 | 7:00 - 8:30 PM | Pryzbyla Great Room B

     Join Campus Ministry's Cardinal Cupboard for a night of Service, packaging Thanksgiving themed grocery bags for our neighborhood partners at the Edgewood Brookland family support collaborative. Please RSVP on the Nest. For questions or accommodations, please email cua-service@cua.edu.

     

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    Sacred Heart Dinners

    Friday, November 22, 2024 | 2:45 - 5:30 PM | Campus Ministry Office

    Volunteer at the Shrine of the Sacred Heart! There students, faculty, and staff help to prepare hot meals and serve those experiencing food insecurity. Come build community and give back to our neighbors! 

    Meet at the Campus Ministry Office at 2:45pm, and we will take a van to the Shrine. Reserve your spot in the van on The Nest. For questions or accommodations, please email cua-service@cua.edu.

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    Homeless Food Runs

    Sunday, November 24, 2024 | 2:00 - 4:00 PM | The Cellar

    Meet students, faculty, and staff at The Cellar (bottom floor of The House in Caldwell Hall) at 1:30 pm to make sandwiches before departing at 2:30 pm to bring food to those in need in our community.

    You are welcome to come make sandwiches even if you are unable to go give them out. Please RSVP on The Nest to secure a spot in the van. For questions or accommodations, please email cua-service@cua.edu.

LEARN

 

The Church's Response to Hunger and Homelessness

Hunger: Learning About Food Insecurity

What is Food Insecurity? 

Food insecurity has been defined as inconsistent or uncertain access to adequate and nutritious food.

Signs of food insecurity include one or more of the following:

  • Skipping meals because of financial restrictions.
  • Stretching a single meal to last all day.
  • Always having to buy cheap, non-nutritious food.
  • Choosing between buying food and other financial obligations.
  • Experiencing anxiety or uncertainty about food availability.

How can you help? 

Participate in any of the following ways listed on this page.

Homelessness: Learning About Housing Insecurity

What is Homelessness?

The definition of those who are experiencing homelessness includes:

  • An individual or family who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, such as those living in emergency shelters, transitional housing, or places not meant for habitation, or
  • An individual or family who will imminently lose their primary nighttime residence (within 14 days), provided that no subsequent housing has been identified and the individual/family lacks support networks or resources needed to obtain housing, or
  • Unaccompanied youth under 25 years of age, or families with children and youth who qualify under other Federal statutes, such as the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act, have not had a lease or ownership interest in a housing unit in the last 60 or more days, have had two or more moves in the last 60 days, and who are likely to continue to be unstably housed because of disability or multiple barriers to employment, or
  • An individual or family who is fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, has no other residence, and lacks the resources or support networks to obtain other permanent housing

Sources: https://soarworks.samhsa.gov/article/definitions-of-homelessness#:~:text=The%20definition%20of%20those%20who,not%20meant%20for%20habitation%2C%20or
https://files.hudexchange.info/resources/documents/HomelessDefinition_RecordkeepingRequirementsandCriteria.pdf

How can you help?

Participate in any of the ways listed on this page.

GIVE

 

Donate to The Cardinal Cupboard or The Cardinal Closet 

 

Drop off non-perishable items or clothes throughout this week. The Cardinal Cupboard is located in McMahon B105 and The Cardinal Closet is located across the hall in McMahon B102