More than 70 CSU students forewent buffets and salad bars Thursday
night and swiped their student meal cards in exchange for a scoop of
rice, which they ate with their hands on the floor.
The students' sacrifice was part of fifth annual Oxfam hunger banquet.
At the event, participants were assigned to low, middle or upper class
tables and were served a meal in accordance with their status.
While approximately half of the estimated 150 students attending the
event dined on rice alone, 35 percent enjoyed a "middle class" meal of
rice and beans, which they were allowed to eat with a fork on cafeteria
benches.
Tables and silverware sets were reserved for the event's upper class
that dined on a three-course meal consisting of a Caesar salad,
fettuccine alfredo and a dessert of chocolate and fruit.
Though there was no rule against "upper class" students sharing their
meals with those less fortunate, event organizer and International
Programs Coordinator Shauna DeLuca said she saw very little plate
sharing taking place.
"I felt like it would ruin the experience if I (shared)," freshman zoology major Shannon Andrews said.
Andrews attended the dinner for the first time this year. Despite the
quality of her meal,the event itself gave her a new perspective on her
status among the world population.
"My view of upper class is not the same as the world's view of upper
class," Andrews said, adding that she had always considered herself a
middle class citizen.
In an effort to gain even greater perspective on world hunger, around
25 students spent the week leading up to the dinner challenging
themselves to survive on meager rations.
The challenge, called "Seven dollars for seven days," required
participants to survive on a food budget of no more than a dollar each
day for the week leading up to the banquet.
Junior music major A.J. Bush attended the banquet after completing the
challenge for the third year running. She was assigned the poorest
class at the event, and said she was anticipating ending her diet of
rice, beans and oatmeal with a bowl of fresh fruits or vegetables.
Those participating at the event were shown presentations by Oxfam
Intenational, an organization devoted to finding solutions for world
poverty, and the Larimer County Food Bank, which distributes food to
families and individuals in need across the county.
While the turnout was diminished from previous years, which have seen
170 to 200 students, the event was an overall success in its mission to
give an experiential education about poverty to typically fortunate
American students, DeLuca said.
"I hope even though they're not leaving with a full stomach, they're
leaving with ideas about how to take action to make a difference," she
said.
Senior Reporter Matt Minich can be reached at news@collegian.com.
