Raising Awareness, Saving Lives

Interested in raising awareness about world hunger, learning about prominent issues with poverty and eating delicious baked goods? Then come to the All-Nighter for the Poor Oct. 15 in Brunsdale Lounge.

Part of a non-profit organization called Food for the Poor, the event comes to Luther through the global concerns groups. Junette Maxis (‘11) heard about the program which raises money and awareness for impoverished areas in the Caribbean and Latin America and saw an opportunity to bring a good cause to Luther.

The organization states that one in eight Haitian children dies before the age of five, often from hunger. Food for the Poor tries to give communities and nations tools allowing them to break free from the poverty cycle. The national All-Nighter for the Poor seeks to raise funds for these food solutions and raise awareness about the real problems with hunger which often go unnoticed.

The All-Nighter at Luther is actually more of a ‘part-nighter,’ as it goes from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

“I think the awareness part is the most important thing and educating Luther students on a really important issue,” Trena Montgomery (‘10) said.
“Although we might not be able to raise a huge amount of money, we might be able to take them out of the Luther context and bubble.”

The fundraising aspect of the all-nighter is a bake sale open to anyone who might be looking for a study break snack and a way to help people thousands of miles away.

At the bake sale, attendees will get to participate in an activity designed to show the kinds of situations poor people and nations go through on a regular basis with dividing resources while trying to make something of value to trade or sell.

Maxis will also present about how the poverty cycle traps poor countries and which methods are being applied to end this cycle and empower the people.

“I think it’s very important because as college students, we always feel the need to help in other countries, but we often don’t know if we are helping in a very efficient way,” said Maxis.

To become more proactive in fighting poverty, attend this year’s All-Nighter for the Poor.