The average life of a student is filled with challenges. Most get to face these challenges knowing there will be a bed to go to at the end of the day.

Hundreds of people locally, thousands of people internationally, do not have this luxury.

The Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, Nov 14 to 17, is an event hosted by the Washburn university Oxfam America Club. Oxfam aims to educate students on the cause and effects of hunger and homelessness and of opportunities to help the community.

“There is more to poverty and hunger than people realize,” said Angelique Flinn, nursing student and president of Oxfam. “By doing these events, we are able to educate the public.”

Oxfam will partner with other organizations to fill the week with educational events.

Four representatives from the Topeka Rescue Mission, two staff and two residents, will host the Faces of Homelessness Panel 6 to 7:30 pm, Nov. 14 at the Vogel Room in the Memorial Union. The hosts will share their past and current stories of homelessness and hunger. A question and answer session will follow the panel presentation.

The RESULTS Chapter from Kansas State university has partnered with Oxfam to host the Advocacy Workshop: Let Your Voice Be Heard 6 to 7:30 pm, Nov. 15 in Henderson 112. This is an opportunity for participants to learn how to effectively use their voice to end poverty. The presentation will include education on how to write Op Ed pieces, letters and how to talk to your Senators and Representatives about issues related to poverty.

Jim French, Oxfam America’s Kansas Field Organizer, will speak during the Oxfam America Hunger Banquet 6 to 7:30 pm, Nov. 16 at Washburn B in the Memorial Union. Everything from where you sit to what you eat will be determined by luck of the draw, just like in real life. Learn how poverty and social injustice is affecting society.

The Silverbackks will hold a meeting 6:15 to 7:15, Nov. 17 in the Blair Room, Living Learning Center. This is a chance to learn what this grassroots organization does within the Topeka community to combat homelessness. A donation box can be found outside the Corner Store in the Memorial Union. They are asking for donations of travel and full sized hygiene products like toothpaste, soap, brushes and shampoo, as well as bras of all sizes.

“We want to be able to plant a seed for people to become an agent for change and have people feel empowered to go out and create that change,” Flinn said.