In a week, on average, 810 pounds of food is being wasted in Palms Dining Hall.

This large amount of food could not only be salvaged, but could feed entire communities.

VSU will soon provide that solution with its first annual Hunger Awareness Dinner and Forum on April 25 at 6 p.m. in Ballroom C of the Student Union.

The forum will feature Project Clean Plate, an event also designed to increase hunger awareness in not only Lowndes County, but America as well.

The idea is that people will sit with different “classes” and get a full visualization of what other people’s definition of a “meal” is. 

Upon arriving at the door, each person will grab a slip of paper in a basket that will determine what social class they will impersonate during the event

Those who grabbed the upper class slip of paper will be served foods on fine china. Those who chose middle class will be served microwavable foods, and those of lower class will be served a “garbage plate,” which will be scraps thrown together to represent those who cannot afford dinner every night.

Seeing the huge differences between the upper, middle and lower class meals will hopefully teach students and local residences to reduce the amount of food wasted. 

All students and local residents are welcome to participate in the event.

There have also been other initiatives in the community for hunger awareness.

A teacher from Lake Park Elementary School will speak about their organization “Hungry at Home,” and discuss the hunger issue at hand.

 Canned goods and other donations will be accepted and donated to local food drives and shelters.