PLYMOUTH-On Tuesday, November 9, students gathered their sleeping bags, warm clothing, and cups of hot coca to stay warm during an overnight sleep out in front on the HUB. Students slept outside in cardboard boxes provided by Plymouth Furniture, kept warm over trash barrel fires, and ate simple food: hot dogs and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches donated by Sodexho and Mary Lyon Hall.
The event was organized by the Assistant Residence Directors (ARDs) and the PSU volunteers to correlate with other events for Hunger and Homeless Week. A national week dedicated to raising awareness about hunger and homelessness in our country.
Many students sleeping out seem un-phased by the fact that the temperature was supposed to dip as low as twelve degrees. Students said there are homeless people across the country that has to suffer sleeping outside in worse conditions.
First year student Jason Pescia slept out in order to give back to the community “I think it’s for a good cause. There will be a lot of people this winter that will have it ten times worse than us. It’s our way of getting a taste of what a lot of people have to go through every winter.”
According to ARDs, Karina Pipes and Patrick Giguere, the event was actually supposed to be held the following week, when the weather probably would have been even more chilly.
Racheal Drozd of Mary Lyon states, “I like this a lot, I think it raises awareness across campus and it is by far the strongest event that assistant resident directors plan.”
Other events for Hunger and Homeless Week included Matthew: The Homeless Prophet of Boston at the PSU Spiritual Center. Matthew spent many years homeless in the streets of Boston, and has since become an advocate for the homeless. Matthew believes that churches, especially those in Boston Common, should unlock their doors for all who seek refuge there.
Throughout the week there were clothing and food drives. Today, Friday, November 12, at twelve there will be a Human Food Chain leading to the Plymouth Congressional Church. All are welcome to participate.