Oxfam Banquet 2007
SATURDAY APRIL 14
UNIVERSITY PLACE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
WRIGHT AND SPRINGFIELD, CHAMPAIGN
5-7 P.M.
Today, many in the United States live in apathy
to the plight of others in our country and around the world.
Despite what some may believe, this apathy is not intentional
disregard, but rather an ignorance about other nation's
affairs and how ordinary people can help, an ignorance that
can easily be curbed by social action. To that end, students
at Urbana High School are hosting a "hunger banquet,"
which we hope will increase community awareness and raise
funds for Oxfam America, a global organizaton that promotes
awareness of world hunger. The UHS clubs involved in increasing
this awareness in our community include: Amnesty International,
the Democrat Club, and the Echo. Our patron in this venture,
Oxfam International funds globe-spanning programs to fight
hunger and create just and sustainable communities, to encourage
social and economic development. This may sound like a lofty
endeavor, and lofty it may well be, but we - the students
and
teachers involved - have a fervent belief that we can't
aim too high in matters of social change, such as this "hunger
banquet", which will be held on: SATURDAY APRIL 14
AT THE UNIVERSITY PLACE CHRISTIAN CHURCH, AT WRIGHT AND
SPRINGFIELD IN CHAMPAIGN, 5-7 P.M.
The premise behind this "hunger banquet" is an
idea originated by Oxfam International, and these events
have been organized and hosted all over the world. The idea,
intimately linked to Oxfam's societal advocacy, is to bring
community members of all ages together to share food, entertainment,
and, most importantly, knowledge of the vast discrepancies
in global food distribution, and at the same time generatefunds
to assist Oxfam's global program.
We join Oxfam in their goals:
FROM OXFAM'S WEBSITE oxfamamerica.org
"Oxfam America pursues solutions to poverty, hunger,
and social injustice in many ways, starting with the support
of grassroots community programs in poor countries. These
organizations - which we call our partners - provide
inspiration and leadership to people who are living difficult
lives locked in poverty. With new resources, organization,
and opportunity from Oxfam, our partners and their communities
gain skills, direction, and the hope and energy to create
a new future for themselves.
Poverty comes from lack of knowledge, resources, and opportunity.
At its root, it exists because of inequities established
and perpetuated by political and economic policies and social
norms. People who ar poor are locked out of the systems
that create policies and norms. Individuals and their communities
will create their own best solutions to poverty if they
have the necessary financial resources, skills and technical
information, and access to the political process."
Tickets will be available at the door. Suggested donations
beginat $5.00 per person. The event is designed to reflect
the living conditions and social classes worldwide. Therefore,people
will be randomly assigned to upper, middle, or lower class
livingconditions, and they will be fed and accomodated accordingly.
* The upper class of about 10% will be served a gourmet
meal,
by personal wait staff, with elaborate table service.
* The middle class, roughly 30%, will sit at
large tables, and eat rice, beans, and tortillas
* Finally, the lower class, 60%, will sit on the floor and
receive only rice
and water, after all others have been served.
The entertainment is, available to all. Each year we have
around 300 guests and raise about $2,000. This year we hope
to send the donations to the people in refugee camps who
are fleeing genocide in Darfur.
This event is intended to dramatize and inform.
It gives an eye opening glimpse at the world food problem.
The format encourages each "class" to question
how their world operates. We hope it will teach how regular
Americans can help people all over the world and at home.
As well as attendind the event, donations can be mailed
to Amnesty Club at Urbana High
School, 1002 South Race Street, Urbana, 61801. All proceeds
of the event and donations go to Oxfam.
--The UHS Oxfam Hunger Banquet Committee 2007
