Poverty Project & Hunger Banquet

As part of their second semester curriculum after Confirmation, eighth grade religious education students participated in the Poverty Project, which is designed to give them a greater understanding and empathy for individuals in this country and around the world who struggle to provide even the basic necessities of housing and food for their families. The culmination of the project is the Hunger Banquet which was held on April 9, the last class of the 2013/2014 religious education year. Before the banquet, students were randomly issued meal tickets. Some tickets were for a fine restaurant-quality experience including a multi-course meal, linen tablecloth, flowers, and a wait staff. Other students were served a cafeteria-style meal with that style food, plastic cutlery/dishes and placemats. The last unfortunate group received only bread and water and had to sit on the floor to eat. This evening hopefully impressed upon the students the disparity of resources and experiences around the world. The students also received their Confirmation certificates and a blessing from their catechists at the end of the event. Below are pictures from the banquet.