OSPIRG, in partnership with the Oregon Hillel House: Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, will host a World Hunger Banquet today at 6 p.m. to raise money and awareness about world disparity in food and hunger.
“It’s around us all the time, and the more we can educate people about the disparity, the more we can do about it,” OSPIRG campus organizer Jo Voss said.
Through a random drawing, each person who attends the banquet will be assigned to a group that represents their income level for the event. Meals will be distributed according to these income levels, and will be similar to that of unequal global distribution of resources.
Fifteen percent of the participants will represent the high income countries and will enjoy a substantial meal. Thirty percent will represent the middle class and will have a much more simple meal of rice and beans. Finally, the remaining 55 percent, who will represent the majority of the people living in low-income countries, will be given only rice for their meal.
Che Chen, an intern for OSPIRG’s Homeless and Hunger Campaign, said they are expecting about 50 participants. Most will be students, she said, but staff and community members are also invited.
Tickets can be purchased for $5 from the Oregon Student Public Interest Research Group. All proceeds will be donated to Food for Lane County.

— Jody Burruss