A group of College of Eastern Utah students gathered Monday to kick off hunger issues awareness with the fifth annual hunger banquet. The event was hosted by CEU’s SUN Center.
Each student was issued a number and that number, either one, two or three, determined their assigned dinner arrangement.
The number one participants were seated at a table and given an immaculate place setting, and a meal complete with salad, dinner and dessert.
Number two participants were given paper plates and plastic forks, fed beans and rice and were seated on the floor on blankets.
The third group enjoyed the event on the floor on newspapers with no plate and no food.
According to Kathy Murray of the SUN Center the demonstration helped the participants receive a new understanding of hunger issues. Each day, the world produces two pounds of grain for every man, woman and child on earth. According to Murray this is enough to provide all of us with 3,000 calories a day, well above the recommended daily minimum of 2,300 calories. “There is enough food to feed us all, yet 25 percent of the world’s population eats simple meals consisting of rice and water,” she states, adding, “60 percent of the world’s population eat only rice and water and 15 percent of the world’s population eats well.”
Steve Blackman for the Utahans Against Hunger presented a visual example, with the help of about 20 participants. He had 20 apples representing the world’s food supply. In a world where everything was always fair everyone would get an apple. He had people divide up, seven people representing the third world and they received one apple to share. Twelve people, who represent the second world received four apples to share and the three people representing the first world were given the remaining 15 apples.
Karla Edmondson, Carbon County Food Bank, provided statistics and information about the local food bank and its increased usage.
“The hunger banquet served as an eye opener for participants,” concluded Murray.
CEU Students Address Hunger Issues
