Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week
The Lehigh Conference of Churches will hold Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week Nov. 12-19.
Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is an annual program where people come together across the country to draw attention to the problems of hunger and homelessness. Participating groups spend the week holding a series of educational, service, fundraising, and advocacy events.
Locally, the conference will engage in a week of daily activities to educate the community, advocate for change, and raise funds to help those facing hunger and homelessness in the Lehigh Valley.
The schedule for the week is:
Nov. 12: Kick Off: Uniting Faith Communities to End Homelessness
Conference staff, board, and volunteers will each present during religious services, explaining the mission of the agency, opportunities to get involved, and promoting the week’s activities. For information, contact gwatson@ lehighchurches.org.
Nov. 13: Abolish Hunger: A Roundtable Discussion
A roundtable discussion is set to highlight influential voices addressing the critical issue of food insecurity. The focal point of this conversation revolves around finding solutions to enhance the food-related challenges faced by low-income individuals in our community.
Nov. 14: Faces of Homelessness Panel II
A panel of individuals with lived experience will share their stories of homelessness and their views on this national problem. The event will be held via Zoom with opportunities for attendees to ask questions and engage in dialog. To register, go to zoom.us/ meeting/register/tJwpcuCvrDsjGNFXKAUcwaseH2uuvGLNZ-hi#/registration.
Nov. 15: Housing & Equity Community Forum, Community Spotlight Series, and Keynote Dinner Featuring Donald Whitehead
The housing and equity community forum will commence with our community spotlight series, leading up to a special keynote dinner featuring the esteemed Executive Director of the National Coalition for the Homeless, Donald Whitehead Jr. The community forum is free. The dinner will be held at DeSales University, University Center, 2755 Station Ave., Upper Saucon Township. Tickets are $50. To register, go to secure.qgiv.com/for/hhaweek2023communityforumkeynotedinner/ event/879482/.
Nov. 16: Public screening of 940 Caledonia
Set in a sanctioned encampment that was set up after unhoused people were flooded out of a city park. This short film shows the on-the-ground reality of people living outside and offers hope for alternatives to encampments. The screening will be held at the Bahnson Center, Moravian University, Bethlehem. To register, go to secure.qgiv.com/ for/publicscreeningof940caledonia/.
Nov. 17: Hope for Homeless: Open Mic Night
A free-to-attend open mic night is held in Flagg Hall featuring the incredible talents of local comedians, musicians, poets, plus more. They strongly encourage attendees to contribute by donating outreach supplies such as tents, sleeping bags, batteries, etc. Interested in participating in this event? Contact gwatson@lehighchurches.org.
Nov. 18: One Night Without a Home
A sleepout for homelessness will take place in person, at multiple sites. Those who sleep outside or in their car will sign up in advance, raise money, and participate in a scripted evening of advocacy, education, and a bit of fun. To register, go to secure.qgiv.com/ event/2023onenightwithoutahome-lehighvalley/.