30-Hour famine raises hunger awareness
By Micah McVicker | Staff Writer
A child dies every three seconds from malnutrition and lack of health care. One in six people in the world live in poverty. 800 million people around the world regularly go without food.
In an effort to raise awareness for the injustice of world hunger, the University of Indianapolis Ecumenical and Interfaith Services Office held a 30-Hour Famine Friday, April 3 through Saturday, April 4.
Junior Michelle Stephens, the chapel steward of compassion and organizer of the famine, elaborated goals of the 30-Hour Famine.
“We hope to make people aware of our surroundings and of the homeless in Indy and around the world,” Stephens said.
Faminers used the language of hunger and suffering to gain perspective about how people feel when they go without food.
“The focus of the 30-Hour Famine is to share in people’s sufferings,” said Stephens.
In addition to fasting for 30 hours, faminers participated in the Great Indy Cleanup on Saturday morning.
“[Participating in the 30-Hour Famine is a] great opportunity for people to step outside their comfort zone, step out of their weekly routine,” Stephens said. “Participating in the famine also reminds me what I’m giving up.”
The Ecumenical and Interfaith Services Office also held the Interfaith Peace Service on April 2 in McCleary Chapel. Reverend Lang Brownlee, chaplain and assistant professor of ecumenical and interfaith programs, led the ceremony.
“The service is the time to celebrate diversity,” Brownlee said.
The Sankofa Circle of African-American Sages was unveiled during the service. Also during the service, one UIndy professor and one staff member won the Jerry Israel Interfaith Service Award. Mari-Toni Peabody, instructor of social sciences, and Lela Mixon, associate director of career services, each won the decoration. The award is named after UIndy’s former president
“Dr. Israel strived to use the language of peace to create unity among all people,” Brownlee said.
