University Chronicle

Issue date: 4/27/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Heather Dumas Shantytown 2009 was constructed in front of Massie Hall out of cardboard found from dumpsters and duct tape. Participants then added other items such as plastic bags and tarps as they were brought to them. The pirate flag flying on the "TKE Mansion" was a gift from a fellow student.

The fifth annual Shantytown fundraiser and homelessness awareness event took shape April 21 in front of Massie Hall in the form of a multitude of cardboard hovels. Students lived in their makeshift shelters through April 23 in order to simulate the hardships that the homeless often endure, while collecting donations for the local homeless shelter.

Sarah Lowe coordinated the event this year.

"The most important thing we're trying to do is raise awareness of homelessness in Scioto County. You can walk down the street and see homeless people almost every day. There are people sleeping out in the parks," Lowe said.

The Shantytown project also raised money for the Scioto County homeless shelter. The director of the shelter came to campus and spoke to the students participating in Shantytown and told stories of some of the families she has worked with and what the money they raised was going for at the shelter.

"Last year they raised about $1400," Lowe said.

"Another myth is that we don't accept food donations, or that we eat the food that's given to us," Kelly Hatas said.

Hatas has been involved in the Shantytown event for many years. She said that there are often non-perishable food items which are donated that are then passed along to local food pantries.

"Obviously we can't donate the perishable food items," Hatas said of how professors and friends brought a large supply of food to the student who chose to rough it in Shantytown.

According to Hatas, Shantytown events happen on campuses all across the country.

"It's not mocking the homeless in any way. It's just a way for students to get a taste of what it might be like," Hatas said. "The folks who bring food see what they feel to be a good cause and they just want to help out because the students aren't allowed to go out and buy food or go to the cafeteria like they might normally do."

Lowe said that while the participants are getting a feel for what it is like to sleep on concrete, they are still students and they are not being kept from their classes.

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