For each student who decides to give up their meals, Valentine donates money (close to the value of the meals) to a local charity. This year the Amherst Survival Center, which provides meals, clothing, counseling opportunities and other services to those in need, will receive the proceeds from the campaign.
Unlike other MassPIRG campaigns that reflect a partisan agenda, Give Up Your Meals Day appeals to much of the student body, according to Alexis Weiss '04, head of the MassPIRG hunger and homelessness committee. "In general it is easier for students to connect with [the hunger and homelessness committee] because it isn't related to legislation or any one political party," said Weiss.
There are currently 25 chapters of MassPIRG state-wide. Many events are coordinated on the regional and state level. The College's chapter chair Luke Swarthout '04, said that the Give Up Your Meals Day campaign is particularly successful at the College because there is one centralized dining common and "a very socially-conscious student body."
"Students here are very responsive to this campaign because it is a small but significant sacrifice," said Swarthout.
According to MassPIRG,this campaign is run during National Hunger Awareness Week (Nov. 11-17) in order to allow students to help address an important national concern.
"You can spend eight hours a day stuffing your face in Valentine if you want," said Craig McBeth '04, who has given up his meals. "It's important to realize that locally there are people struggling to make ends meet." He added, "Especially now, we have a heightened sense of global events and more importantly, living conditions ... It epitomizes the idea of thinking globally and acting locally."
MassPIRG will hold a banquet tomorrow night for those students who gave up their meals. Speakers will discuss hunger and homelessness, and local restaurants have donated food for the event.
Last year, 425 Amherst students gave up their meals and Weiss estimated that close to 480 students decided to participate this year.
Many students were eager to give up their meals for what they considered a worthy cause, according to May Nguyen '04, who tabled for this campaign.
"It is a way for the Amherst community to come together and show that we care about problems extending beyond campus," said Amie Shei '02, who supports the campaign.