Tuscaloosa, Ala. – The University of Alabama’s Community Service Center is hosting its annual ‘Sleep Out on the Quad’ on March 30. At the Sleep Out, students can learn more about hunger issues through a variety of activities.

“The Sleep Out is a great way for students to get involved and help others,” said Charlotte Brown, Hunger and Homelessness Awareness coordinator. “Our ultimate goal is to raise awareness of homelessness, which is often an overlooked issue,”

Beginning at 8pm, volunteers will prepare meals for Stop Hunger Now, an international hunger relief organization. Stop Hunger Now packages nutritious dehydrated meals that are distributed in crisis situations, school feeding programs, and orphanages around the world. The Community Service Center aims to package 10,000 meals at the Sleep Out at the cost of only 25 cents per meal.

The meal packaging is followed by a screening of “The Pursuit of Happyness,” the story of a homeless salesman who gains custody of his son that stars Will Smith. At midnight, the University of Alabama chapter of TOMS will host a “Walk Without Shoes” around the Quad.

“The experience is meant for people to put themselves in the shoes, or lack thereof, of those less fortunate and then learn ways to do something about it,” said Kellie Gentry, TOMS member. “Participants will experience one night of what others could live for a lifetime–no shelter, shoes, and limited food and water.”

After the “Walk Without Shoes,” students have the option to sleep on the Quad to raise awareness for homelessness. Volunteers need to bring their own sleeping bags and should plan to leave around 7am.

For more information, students can visit the Community Service Center in 346 Ferguson Center or e-mail uahungerandhomelessness@gmail.com