On April 4, MoPIRG and people around the nation will help those in need
Amanda Jacobs
-Asst. Arts & Life Editor-
More than 38 million Americans are suffering from hunger, 13 million of which are children. This statistic, given by the United States Department of Agriculture, is showcased on the website for the 25th annual Hunger Cleanup.
This Hunger Cleanup consists of volunteers working together to help the hungry and homeless.
“We want to make hunger and homelessness well known throughout our community,” said Jackie Breckenridge, an STLCC-Meramec student as well as an intern for MoPIRG.
Saturday, April 4, is the date of the cleanup.
On this day, people all around the nation will be volunteering to help those in need.
“Our group will be volunteering at Our Lady’s Inn. We will be helping pregnant women or women who have just given birth,” said Breckenridge. “We will be there throughout the day, getting to know people and volunteering and helping in any way we can.”
MoPIRG recruited this group of students from Meramec to join the fight to help those in need.
“Robert Guise, who is the organizer of the group, came to my class to speak about available internships and ask for volunteers,” said Breckenridge. “Before that I had never heard of MoPIRG.”
In order to raise money for the Hunger Cleanup, Meramec’s MoPIRG group organized a fundraiser, Don’t Gamble on Hunger, a casino-themed event.
“Don’t Gamble on Hunger was our big event for this campaign,” said Breckenridge. “Other than that, we ask friends, family and local businesses to donate and help those in need.”
MoPIRG is always in need of more volunteers. Their particular group is divided into issues. Some students work mainly on environmental issues, while others work on hunger issues.
The money raised by the student group is divided into two portions and sent to both the St. Louis organization and a national fund.
“I love doing this. When I do this I am at a loss for words,” said Breckenridge. “It is amazing how gracious the people that we work with are.”
