Program OTM Form

Month/Year: March 2009

OTM Category (delete those that DO NOT apply and leave ONLY
ONE)
Educational

School: NC State University

Region: SAACURH
Program Title: Quad Hunger Dinner

Program Coordinator: Josh Davis On-Campus Population: 8500

Address: Box 03333 Bagwell Hall Chapter Size: 85
Raleigh, NC 27607 Number of Target population:
Phone: (910)540-9542 400
Email: jbdavis2@ncsu.edu Number of attendees: 27
Nominator: Sam Lee Number of organizers: 5
Address: Box 03364 Bagwell Hall Needed organize time: 2 weeks
Raleigh, NC 27607 Date(s) of program: 26 March
Phone: (919)931-9626 '09
Email: shlee2@ncsu.edu Cost of program: $50

Short Description (max 400 words):

Five Quad area Resident Advisors (RAs) put on a hunger dinner on

March 26th, 2009, as a part of the area's monthly focus topic of
socioeconomic status and other related issues. The dinner was based
on the hunger banquet model created by Oxfam, which has been
implemented successfully on both small and large scales on NC State's
campus. RA Josh Davis, through his work with the on-campus Center
for Student Leadership, Ethics, and Public Service (CSLEPS),
recommended the model for the Quad's dinner, and acquired the
program script as put together by Oxfam.

The hunger dinner was set up so that, as residents entered the room to
eat, they were assigned an economic class by way of receiving a color-
coded ticket. Proportional to the world's population at large, residents
ate as either upper class (few), middle class (some), and lower class
(many). The script used highlighted each of the different economic
classes, and even played out scenarios in which members of the
different classes either elevated their positions or lowered them. At
the end of the program script, the upper class were served lasagna,
salad, toast, and sodas; the middle class were allowed to serve
themselves from a selection of rice, beans, and water (with utensils);

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and the lower class were given rice and “dirty” water (with yellow &
red food coloring) and charged with the task of eating without utensils.

As awkwardness grew on the part of the upper class, they were

encouraged by the RAs that they could, should they so choose, share
their food with the lower classes. The 3 residents seated at the upper
class table decided to do so and served each of the other residents
meals of lasagna, salad, and toast, of each of which plenty was
prepared for all. Following the meal a brief discussion was held in
which residents had the opportunity to share their feelings on the
activity. All in all, the resident response to the program was
overwhelmingly positive.

Word Count: 329

Origin of Program (max 200 words):

The origin of this program, as stated, was the Oxfam model for a
hunger dinner or banquet. The CSLEPS office provided the organizing
RAs with the script at RA Josh Davis' request. Josh had previously
attended a hunger dinner based on the same model elsewhere on NC
State's campus, and recommended the program after the profoundly
positive impact it had has on him. In the previous instance in which
Josh had participated, the program also included a speaker who
addressed global hunger as a problem of inequality of resources. For
this program, CarolAnn Osterhoudt, one of the organizing RAs,
attempted to contact a crop science professor at NC State, but was
unsuccessful in establishing contact. The RAs decided to put on the
program themselves, which turned out to be very successful despite
not having a speaker.

Word Count: 136

Goals of the Program (max 200 words):

The main goal of the Quad's Hunger Dinner was to expose residents of
the Quad area as to the extreme hunger that exists around the world,
and to instill a sense of humility in one's day to day consumption of
food. The model was designed to accurately represent the relative
proportions of upper, middle, and lower class peoples around the
world, a tool by which the program was even more impacting if only for
its visual presence. Additionally, a goal of the program was to engage
residents in discussion on practical solutions to hunger that anyone
can help with. This was achieved through the discussion that followed
the program in addition to evaluating how the program had impacted
each individual. Finally, an additional goal of the program was to show
the basis from which eradication of hunger must grow, that is, from the
upper class' initiative to do so. Residents were encouraged to take

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what they learned from the program with them and to share it with
their roommates, hallmates, and friends.

Word Count: 172

Positive and lasting effects of the program (max 200 words):

This program had many positive and lasting effects. For one, it
illuminated the real problem of hunger that exists both at home and
abroad, but that is relatively unfathomable to college students – save
for the typical jokes about a diet Ramen noodles and Pokey Stix!
Residents were approached on the topic in a very real and forward
manner in which they themselves were required to play a role in the
worldwide hunger crisis. This encounter with something different than
the norm was incredibly effective in showing the reality of this
problem. Additionally, the residents who attended the program had
the chance to engage in discussion regarding what can be done about
hunger – beyond recognizing that the issue exists, residents were able
to comprehend its reach as well as how to combat it – making
donations to food banks or to programs like Oxfam or Stop Hunger Now
that support aiding those who are hungry. Finally, residents had a
chance to bond with each other over a delicious dinner and deep topic,
something that seldom happens in the residence halls in such a
profound manner.

Word Count: 186

Short Evaluation of the program (max 200 words):

Overall, the program went extremely well, even without having a

keynote presenter involved. Each of the RAs involved – Josh Davis,
CarolAnn Osterhoudt, Katherine Wright, Sarah Bauer-Nilsen, and myself
– had an integral role in the success of the program. The RAs
encountered a brief hiccup when they found that they had not allotted
enough time to cook the lasagna, but the problem was solved with a
little bit of ingenuity and luck. As far as the use of the Oxfam script
and the following discussion, all signs from residents and other RAs
who attended the event were that they were very powerful. One RA
who will not be named (*cough*Fred*cough*) was even quoted as
saying that it was, “one of the best programs ever!” In all seriousness,
the event was both simple to put on with a little organization, and very
powerful in its delivery on a pertinent topic.

Word Count: 151

How could this be adapted on other campuses (max 200 words)?

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This program could be adapted for any size group of students on any
campus, though the Oxfam script was designed for 30-40 individuals'
participation. The RAs responsible for the program very much enjoyed
using the Oxfam script for the program, which can be acquired by
contacting the organization through their website. In the case of the
Quad's Hunger Dinner, the food was all prepared in-house; if serving a
much larger group of individuals, catered food could also be used.
Overall, the only necessity in putting on a great hunger dinner is a little
motivation on the part of the RAs or other planners, and a little
excitement and investment by the residents. Both the RAs involved in
planning the Quad's Hunger Dinner as well as the residents attending
the program deserve to be commended for their hard work – the
success of the program deserves recognition with this of-the-month
award!

Word Count: 150