Hunger Cleanup is a tradition that has been taking place at Fairfield for the past 21 years, and on Saturday, April 4, students will once again have the chance to get involved in a day’s worth of service in the surrounding Fairfield County area.
Students are able to sign up individually or with groups of friends. There are also many clubs on campus, sports teams, classes and floors that sign up to volunteer and are then assigned to various work sites.
‘The people at the work sites are so thankful for our help and seeing the joy in so many different peoples’ faces is the best memory I have,’ said Ashley Williams ’09, co-chair of the Hunger Cleanup executive board. ‘One year, I worked at a homeless shelter and all of the residents came out to help us clean as well.’
There are a variety of work sites that students have the option to work on. Some of these include day cares, shelters, soup kitchens, food pantries, community centers and sometimes Habitat for Humanity sites. The sites are mainly in the Bridgeport area, but there are also sites in Fairfield, Westport and Norwalk. At these locations, volunteers might take part in block cleanups, vacant lot cleanups and beautification projects.
Hunger Cleanup is not just a day of service, but also a large fund-raiser. The goal of the board is to raise about $10,000 this year. The board has been trying to raise money through efforts such as dorm storm and bake sales, but they encourage all participants to get sponsored and do their part in the fund-raiser. The event is also offering T-shirts for those who raise more than $21 for the 21st year.
The money that is earned through the fund-raiser is spread out among many different organizations. Wiley Blake of Campus Ministry said that the event tries to raise funds for educational-based organizations and programs that teach foundational skills such as computer skills, which will allow people to have the ability to attain employment and earn a living.
Fund-raiser co-chairs Angela Delmonico ’11 explained a program that coincides with Hunger Cleanup called Soup and Bread night. This is an event occurring on Friday, March 27 at 7 p.m. that educates ‘students and faculty about the great differences in wealth and opportunities in Fairfield County, such as Westport versus Bridgeport only a few miles away from each other,’ said Delmonico.’
Hunger Cleanup has proved to make a lasting impression on the hundreds of students that have participated in it over the years. Carolyn Rusiackas, associate University chaplain at Campus Ministry, has been involved in the planning of Hunger Cleanup for many years. She explained that last year more than 30 alumni came to volunteer and many continue to donate their time and money every year. She also has noticed that Hunger Cleanup is often mentioned in the valedictory addresses and other parting statements made my graduating seniors.
The planning board of the event has been enlisting the efforts of University community members for the last few weeks and with two weeks left until the event, it is sure to be a popular event this year as well.
Hunger Cleanup will be going on from 8:45 a.m.-2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 4.
Volunteers leave the lower level of the BCC around 9:15 a.m. after a breakfast buffet. They will then return to campus around noon, where there is also a party planned after the event in the BCC, in which many food vendors from around the town of Fairfield donate items for volunteers.
‘It is such a great feeling to know we have so many people on campus who are willing to spend a Saturday helping out in the area,’ said Brittney Stickland ’09, co-chair of the executive board.
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