INPIRG works with local organizations for Hunger Cleanup

Students throughout campus gathered with members of the community to take part in the 25th annual Hunger Cleanup on Saturday.

This year, the Indiana Public Interest Research Group teamed up with local hunger and homelessness relief agencies – Martha’s House, Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard and the Shalom Community Center – to sponsor this year’s Hunger Cleanup.

At each relief agency, volunteers conducted various projects such as painting the shelters, working on minor construction, cleaning the food banks and planting community gardens.

“This year, IU’s Hunger Cleanup is working to raise $2,000 to help local agencies as well as the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness,” said Heather Zurek, INPIRG hunger and homelessness campaign coordinator, in an e-mail.

“They’re the largest network of students fighting these problems, along with international programs that support humanitarian aid in Darfur, Sudan and educational opportunities for at-risk girls in Zimbabwe.”

Hunger Cleanup is a nationally known event where students throughout the country team up with local agencies in their communities to volunteer, while friends and family sponsor them. The volunteers work to improve their communities as well as help raise money for local agencies.

“Each year, INPIRG focuses on three main campaigns, usually all three being big issues,” said sophomore Andrew Merki, INPIRG board chair. “This year we have focused on hunger and homelessness, climate change and financial literacy.”

Numerous IU students were at the Shalom Center, a local relief center that provides help for community members by providing food and personal hygiene facilities, Saturday morning, helping the INPIRG volunteers paint the dining services.

“We encourage everyone to help out here at the center,” said sophomore Marion Cherry, a frequent volunteer for the Shalom Center. “We provide orientation for training, but it’s really easy to get involved.”

Anyone can get involved with INPIRG throughout the year, the group runs campaigns during both fall and spring semester. To inquire more information about how to get involved with their organization, visit www.INPIRG.org.