The words "disgust," "grateful" and "guilty" consumed the thoughts of Ball State students who attended the first university-sponsored Hunger Banquet.
Approximately 50 students waited along the halls in the L.A. Pittenger Student Center to participate in the banquet. Note cards were passed out for the students to randomly select a number which would then signify which group they were about to enjoy their feast with. While walking through the door students were told, "If you have a three, take your seat on the ground."
Once students were seated in their random groups, it was time for them to enjoy their meal. Group one enjoyed a salad before they received their main dish of spaghetti. Silver lids revealing rice and beans were served to those in group two. Group three, which consisted of the majority of students, was served cold rice without any eating utensils. Each group represented different groups around the world suffering from poverty.
Once each group finished their meals and observed the other groups, a powerful video consisting of images of people every age suffering from starvation was played.
Tyler Fox, junior communication studies major, said he was moved by this experience.
"It completely changed the way I viewed the world, and we need to change, and for people to understand, they need to experience it," he said.
The banquet showed students that poverty can occur at any age with anyone.
"[Poverty] is situational, and generational and 25,000 children die of hunger each day, and that makes me sick," Fox said.
Bobby Woods, senior marketing major, said he was surprised by his experience with the hunger banquet.
"I didn't have any clue," he said. "It was pretty surprising because I thought it was just going to be a banquet, but I knew there would be a twist to it."
Woods said he left with more information about the world and the struggle with poverty.
"I'm leaving with knowledge about what's going on around the world," he said. "Being in college, we are mostly concerned with what's going on here in Muncie and our hometown."
Graciela Roman, Unity Week chairperson, said she's satisfied with the results from the banquet.
"I feel like we always see commercials and stuff about [poverty], but we don't really talk about it, which is surprising because college students always want to be helping somebody or fighting for something," she said.
Students left the Hunger Banquet with different emotions and overall the banquet proved to be a success. Roman said she is hopeful that the banquet will occur in the future at Ball State.
"I think it turned out nice and there was a shock value to it," she said. "Even people are talking about it just for a little bit, that's enough to bring awareness."
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