Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week: 6 Ways to Get Involved

Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week is an annual program where people come together across the country to draw attention to the problems of hunger and homelessness. And this year, the College of Charleston is doing just that, with offices, organizations and individuals from across campus uniting for HHAW, Nov. 15–21, in an effort to combat housing and food insecurity in our community.

With the government shutdown and reduction in SNAP benefits affecting thousands of county residents, including members of our campus community, the College of Charleston united in its response, coming together for HHAW in a true reflection of the power of campus collaboration.

Multiple student organizations – including the Student Government Association, Crochet Club, Slow Food, Committed to Charleston and Free Expression Fellows – are joining forces with departmental partners, including the Center for Civic Engagement, the Department of Residence Life, Charleston Culinary Group, the Cougar Pantry and the Center for Sustainable Development and the Office of Community Engagement.

With efforts, activities and initiatives all week, the College is shedding light not just on the issues of food and housing insecurities, but on resources to help members of the CofC community.

While a full list of HHAW events can be found here, below are six ways you can join the rest of campus in getting involved during HHAW 2025!

Campuswide Food Drive

Nov. 3–Nov. 21
Locations Listed Below

Throughout HHAW, multiple organizations will be hosting donations bins with all items going to Cougar Pantry or Period Pixies.

The Cougar Pantry is a student-led donation-based organization that was created in 2018 to combat food insecurity among CofC students. It accepts shelf-stable pantry goods and basic hygiene products. Visit the Cougar Pantry webpage to learn more, view the Amazon wishlist and find out how to make a monetary donation. The Cougar Pantry’s top needs are listed here.

Period Pixies is a organization that works to provide all those who menstruate with free period products. Period Pixies accepts individually wrapped hygienic wipes, tampons, pads and pantyliners of all kinds.

During HHAW, donation bins can be found in the following locations:

Off-Campus Service Opportunities

Lowcountry Food Bank Morning
Nov. 15
8:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
(Registration Full)

Volunteers will head to the Lowcountry Food Bank to sort and pack fresh fruits and veggies for those affected by food insecurity.

Habitat for Humanity Build Day
Nov. 15
11:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
(Registration Full)

Volunteers will head to a Habitat for Humanity build site for a day of building a home – and some hope – for a Lowcountry family.

Jeopardy and Pop-Up Service

Nov. 17, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Berry Hall

The Department of Residence Life is hosting a HHAW event, encouraging residents of Berry Hall to stop by the lobby for two activities:

1. assembling warming kits for residents of One80 Place, which supports people in the area who are experiencing homelessness; and
2. playing a quick game of Jeopardy highlighting affordable housing issues. The game is an interactive and engaging way to shed some light on an issue that affects us all.

Swipe Away Hunger

Nov. 17–21, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Liberty Street Food Hall and City Bistro

Swipe Away Hunger is a way for students with meal plans to donate unused meal taps to support students facing food insecurity.

During HHAW, students can donate a meal to the Student Emergency Meal Fund by swiping their own meal cards at Liberty Street Food Hall and City Bistro, where volunteers will be on site.

A philanthropic effort run by the College’s Student Government Association, Swipe Away Student Hunger first launched as a fundraiser in the fall of 2016. Last year, students donated 816 meals, valued at roughly $6,200.

Cougar Mall Takeover

Nov. 19, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Cougar Mall

United in their efforts, nearly a dozen departments and student organizations will take over Cougar Mall to shine some light on food and housing insecurity in our community. A few of the organizations/tables, include:

• Cougar Free Store
• Cougar Pantry
• Crochet Club
• Farmer’s Market
• Pop-Up Service event with the Center for Civic Engagement
• Screening of Abundance with the Office of Community Engagement
• Slow Food

Gratitude in Action

Nov. 18, 3–7 p.m.

This volunteer/donation opportunity supports members of the campus community impacted by cuts and delays in federal benefits. It offers faculty, staff and students a few ways to lend a hand, either by (1) sharing an hour or two organizing, assembling and distributing food kits for those affected by the shutdown; (2) making a donation to Denny’s FUNd to support the purchase of items; or (3) writing/making a handmade card that will be included in each kit.

This collaborative event is organized by Campus Services, the Center for Civic Engagement, Charleston Culinary Group, the Office of Community Engagement and Facilities Management, with volunteers joining from various academic departments, the Academic Advising and Planning Center, the Department of Residence Life and the Office for Student Success and Engaged Learning – and more!

Sign Up to Volunteer
3–7 p.m. (one-hour shifts)

Donate to Denny’s FUNd
to help pay for food-kit items