In the U.S., 549,000 people are homeless on a typical night; 42 million people are at risk of suffering from hunger; and 1 in 5 children live in poverty. Believing that no one should be hungry or homeless, the UNT Dean of Students Office is offering several events during Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, November 12 – 16, to raise awareness and help combat these problems.

Sponsored by the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness, Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is designed to educate the public, draw attention to the problem of poverty and build up the base of volunteers and supporters for local anti-poverty agencies. Groups spend this week generating publicity about hunger and homelessness and holding a series of events to engage their communities.

UNT’s events for the week will include:

• On-campus and Denton Community Resource Fair
  Tuesday, Nov. 13, Library Mall, 12 - 2 p.m.
  UNT departments and local Denton organizations will be on hand to inform and educate students, faculty and staff on the many resources available for help and support.
   
• Food Pantry Drive
  The Dean of Students Office will be collecting donations for the UNT Food Pantry at tables on Tuesday and Thursday from 12 - 2 p.m. in the Library Mall, or donations will be accepted in the Dean of Students Office, Suite 409, during regular business hours all week.
   
• DOS Peer Advocates Winter Clothing Drive
  The Peer Advocates will have tabling on Tuesday and Thursday from 12 - 2 p.m. in the Library Mall to collect winter clothing (coats, hats, mittens, etc.) for local shelters. Donations also will be accepted in a Union Donation Bin or in the Dean of Students Office, Suite 409.

• UNT Men’s Basketball Game Donation Drive
  Saturday, Nov. 17, The Super Pit, 5 p.m.
  Free Admission with two canned food items. Must show items at time of purchasing ticket and then drop off canned food items at collection point near Gate B.
   
• UNT Libraries Food for Fines
  All semester, students may bring up to 20 cans of food per semester to the Library Services Desk at Willis or Discovery Park to waive their overdue fines. With each can students bring in, one dollar will be removed from their library account. Food for Fines cannot be used for damage or replacement fees. Canned food items must be:
  • 12 oz. or more
  • Not expired, not dented
  • Not from a food pantry

In addition, donations to the UNT Food Pantry are accepted all year long. Each year, the UNT Food Pantry assists more than 1,200 students, and the need keeps increasing.

For more information, contact Renée McNamara, Associate Dean of Students, at renee.mcnamara@unt.edu or 940.565.2648.