Shaun Campbell, co-president of Phi Theta Kappa, has a personal connection to the National Hunger and Homelessness Day on campus, because he has experienced homelessness first hand.
According to Campbell, the National Hunger and Homelessness Day is in recognition of the week that takes place Nov. 17 through Nov. 23.
Campbell said during the NHHAD week, big cities having issues with poverty come together to help increase awareness of the growing problem.
“It’s the one event of the year that is just huge,” Campbell said.
This is the first time that NHHAD has been a part of Sinclair Community College.
In recognition, the college will host an event with five guaranteed non-profits, including Homefull, St. Vincent De Paul of Dayton, House of Bread, the Food Bank of Dayton and the Urban Food Freedom Project.
Campbell said all of the non-profits are going to speak, with the exception of St. Vincent de Paul.
“They are going to explain exactly what they do and how they combat homelessness,” he said. “And it’s not just homelessness, it’s also hunger, because some of the non-profits like the Food Bank of Dayton really deal with not so much homelessness, but those in poverty.”
Campbell also said students are going to present information about homelessness and hunger. Those who attend the event and bring in donations will be able to enter a raffle to win “mystery prizes.”
Campbell said the topic of hunger and homelessness is important because poverty and hunger are increasing in the area as more people are losing jobs.
“I think it’s important that people understand what it’s like to go without food for a night or be hungry,” he said. “They may not realize it, but it can happen to them — a large percentage of students that I’ve talked to, even as young as they are, have been homeless or been in extreme poverty.”
Campbell’s main goal is to get students involved and informed about being a part of the community in which they live.
“They can actually help solve this problem simply by giving their time,” he said.
Because Campbell said he was homeless himself and stayed in the Gateway Shelter for Men for nearly six months, he feels that with the event at Sinclair, he is able to give back to those who have helped him in the past.
“Being here at Sinclair has breathed new life into me,” he said. “The experience of being in a shelter for that amount of time allowed me to build relationships with all the non-profits involved, so now I get a chance to give back.”
A Facebook group has been created for students called “Sinclair Students Care” in which faculty and staff can stay informed about the event on campus.
“If you join the group, you will actually get updates of different community service events on campus, and be connected to all the student leaders that are making things happen here,” Campbell said.
Although the event is only reserved for one day, the Student Leadership Development office and the Honors office will be taking donations throughout the month of November.
Collection started on Nov. 4 and items that are accepted include toiletries like toothpaste and shampoos to help Homefull; clothing including coats, hats and blankets for St. Vincent de Paul; canned and pre-packaged foods for the Food Bank of Dayton; and rice, sugar and flour for the House of Bread.
The collection centers included are located in the SLD office in Building 8, Room 025 and the Honors office in Building 10, Room 339.
“I hope that students are going to find this to be impactful enough that new leaders will arise to take my place so this can continue at Sinclair,” he said.
For more information, or to be involved with the event, search for “Sinclair Students Care” on Facebook or contact Campbell at shauncampbellhere@gmail.com or call (937) 245-3699.