We know we can live in a world where everyone can meet their basic needs—have a roof over their head, adequate food and access to safe drinking water.  We’ve made progress, but especially with the recession, we’re far from this goal.  An example is the strain on local food banks -- with the financial crisis, there’s more demand but they can’t meet it because donations are down.  But students know what is going on and we are out there helping.

The Facts on Hunger and Homelessness:

• 49 million Americans were food insecure in 2008 (USDA,  Household Food Security in America, 2008)
• 16.7 million children in the U.S. are food insecure. (USDA, Household Food Security in America, 2008)
• 2/3 of households facing food insecurity reported having at least one member employed full-time. (USDA, Report Household Food Security in America, 2008)
• In the U.S., more than 3.5 million people experience homelessness each year.
• 35% of the homeless population are families with children, which is the fastest growing segment of the homeless population. (U.S. Conference of Mayors, 2007)
• The number of homeless families increased by 9% in 2008 (Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2008)
• 23% are U.S. military veterans. (National Coalition for Homeless Veterans)
• 25% are children under the age of 18 years. (U.S. Conference of Mayors, 2007)
• In 2008, 1/3 of people in homeless shelters lived in the suburbs (Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2008)
• The World Bank estimates that by the end of 2010, 89 million more people will live in extreme poverty.

Get Involved

MASSPIRG students volunteer at shelters and food pantries, raise money and hold awareness events to educate the public about the issues of hunger and homelessness. 

Every spring, MASSPIRG holds the Hunger Cleanup to help address these issues.  We will raise money to make sure that the community has the financial resources to continue combating hunger and culminate in one of the largest days of service in the country, where we will roll up our sleeves planting community gardens, painting shelters or food pantries, serving meals at soup kitchens and the like.  This way we can provide necessary funds and service while also bringing attention to the issue through this national event. 

We want the entire campus to be involved so we can make the biggest impact possible. Sign up to find out more!