More than 150 MIT students -- most of them members of fraternities and sororities -- are expected to participate in a Hunger Hike through Cambridge and Boston this Saturday, Nov. 1, distributing free bag lunches to the homeless.
Plans for the event germinated during a retreat of students from independent living groups (ILGs) on September 20-21. The purpose is to help MIT students, and particularly members of the Class of 2001, develop and act on their sense of social conscience.
"We want to break down stereotypes," said junior Norris Vivatrat, a member of Phi Delta Theta, who acted as a facilitator at the retreat. "We want them to see the problem of homelessness and hunger first-hand and we want to help them to focus on the problem."
Prior to the Hunger Hike, participating students will meet in Rm 407 in the Stratton Student Center at 9am on Saturday to pack the lunches that will include sandwiches, chips, cookies and candy.
"They can put something extra in the package," said Mr. Vivatrat, who is majoring in brain and cognitive sciences. "It could be a piece of candy, a stamped envelope, a subway token or a ballpoint pen - just a token to provide the personal touch."
For additional information, contact Mr. Vivatrat at 746-7301 or <nvivatra@mit.edu>.
The Hunger Hike is sponsored by the MIT Community Service Fund, Sysco Food Services and New England Meats.
A version of this article appeared in MIT Tech Talk on October 29, 1997.
