In observance of the plight of the homeless, hungry, afflicted, and those seeking social justice in the world, King's will present a series of programs in conjunction with the national annual Hunger for Justice Week, Nov. 15-21.

King's Shoval Center will host several events, including Empty Bowls, the Oxfam Hunger Banquet, the Fast-a-thon for Syrian Refugees, and the 60-hour Homelessness Experience to raise awareness of social justice issues.

Highlights

The Empty Bowls fundraiser is an effort to fight hunger and features potters and craftspeople creating bowls. Guests are invited to a simple meal of soup and bread. In exchange for a $15 donation, guests are asked to keep the bowl as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world. The program is at Wilkes University from 11:30 a.m.- 2 p.m. Sunday, November 15, in the Henry Student Center.

The 60-hour homeless experience in Monarch Court starts at 8 a.m., Monday, Nov. 16. Volunteers will set up a cardboard box on the campus lawn in a make-shift shelter to raise awareness for the plight of the homeless.

King's students will gather with guests and staff of Ruth's Place Women's Shelter to discuss what is being done to help those experiencing homelessness in our area and what individuals, local agencies, and our government can do to improve efforts. The event will take place at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 17, in the Postupak Room, McGowan School of Business, on N. River St.

The 60-hour homeless experience ends with a candlelight vigil, in honor and remembrance of the homeless, that will be held at 8 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 18, in Monarch Court. Donations support a local homeless organization.

The Oxfam Hunger Banquet attempts to raise awareness of global hunger and poverty. Participants will be divided into populations that represent the percentages of people who have enough to eat and those who suffer from hunger on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 5 p.m. in the Moreau Auditorium, J. Carroll McCormick Campus Ministry Center on W. Jackson St.

The King's community will give up meal(s) to raise money and awareness for the refugees from Syria. Proceeds raised throughout the day on Thursday, Nov. 19, will be donated to help Syrian refugees. An interfaith dinner and discussion will take place at 6 p.m. on the third floor of the Sheehy-Farmer Campus Center, located between North Franklin and North Main streets.

Additional events

"King's Got Talent" will showcase abilities of the King's community at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 20, in the Burke Auditorium, McGowan School of Business on N. River St. Monetary donations will be accepted at the door. Proceeds will benefit Ruth's Place Women's Shelter.

On Saturday, Nov. 21, volunteers will prepare Thanksgiving bags from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., at Commission on Economic Opportunity, 165 Amber Lane, Wilkes-Barre. The CEO Thanksgiving Project takes place at the old Beiters Store and where Kiss Theater is currently housed, 370 East End Center, Wilkes-Barre.