Students at Calgary’s Queen Elizabeth Junior and Senior High schools recently got an object lesson in what it’s like to live in poverty and have to go hungry.
The event, which was designed to be both an awareness raiser and fundraiser, allowed 16 students to dine on food prepared by some of city’s well known restaurants, which was served to them by their parents. Meanwhile, the rest of the school’s student body got to look on and see them enjoying their meal while they had to go hungry.
Mustard Seed helped to put together the meal, and the students engaged in a variety of different fundraising activities, with some raffling off a chance to sit at the table. Altogether, Queen Elizabeth students raised $1,182.
According to the student manager at Mustard Seed, the feeling of being left out while others get to enjoy a good meal leaves a lasting impression on the students, who then go on to become future politicians and policy makers.
The hope is that they will keep the experience in mind when, in the future, they make decisions that affect those less fortunate than themselves.
An event like this can easily be carried out at any school. Brochure printers can create pamphlets and other promotional materials that explain how the meal works and the long-term benefits of a school choosing to take part.
