Homelessness affects 14.4 million American families, according to the National Coalition of the Homeless.
Ball State students are gathering to understand how homelessness feels Friday at Box City, a 12-hour, all-night event.
Lee Roho, the Tichenor/Trane Hall Council vice president, said the event is meant to promote homelessness awareness.
During the night, three bands will play. Students will eat provided food and play games. Teams will also battle to win prizes in the box-decorating contest. (Last year's winners' box included a welcome mat.)
Sounds like a good time. That's how all homeless people must live.
Box City has its heart in the right place, but the message it wants to send has been obscured. The event raises money for the Muncie Mission through T-shirt and box sales, and it is a lot of fun, but a glorified, outdoor slumber party does little else to help the cause. Box City is only parodying the lifestyles of those homeless people who have no choice but to live this kind of event as a nightly reality -- but without the free food or live entertainment.
The students could use the 12 hours they'll spend talking, laughing and painting their "homes" and donate the time and their efforts at a local charity, or they could participate with Student Voluntary Services in a community-service project.
With the Chili Cook-Off occurring on the same day, the students could take the leftover chili from the contest to a soup kitchen.
Wanting to help is great. It's important to raise awareness about such a problematic issue, but students shouldn't confuse Box City with more proactive and tangible solutions.
But at least they'll get a T-shirt to wear home.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
