Hunger activist is keynote for World Hunger Week activities

Hunger activist is keynote for World Hunger Week activities

Surgeon and hunger activist Glenn Geelhoed will present the keynote address for Penn State's 2004 World Hunger Week activities at noon Monday, Oct. 11, in the Worship Hall of the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center. He will speak on "Hunger and Our Response to It: Malnutrition and Obesity."

Geelhoed is professor of surgery, international medical education, and microbiology and tropical medicine at George Washington University Medical Center. Geelhoed identifies and trains indigenous peoples to conduct specific medical practices in their communities via culturally specific and culture-sensitive training and equipment.

The keynote address will be followed by the premiere screening of a new Penn State film on hunger in central Pennsylvania. The film was directed and shot by Barbara Bird, associate professor of communications, and Penn State film graduate Jennifer Shelley. Berry Friesen, executive director of the Pennsylvania Hunger Action Center, will offer remarks before the film screening. Audience members are encouraged to bring a canned good to donate to the local food bank.

The second annual "Cafe Hunger" and auction will be held at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 11 in the Frizzell Room of the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center. It will feature student groups presenting a community meal to help participants understand global food security issues. Arts-based features of the cafe include an interactive theatre piece on hunger, display of hunger posters created by Penn State graphic design students, screening of the new hunger film, silent and live auctions of hunger-related art created by campus and community artists and a performance by the Penn State gospel choir Essence of Joy.

Awards will be given to winners of the Students Taking on Poverty Analytical/Artistic Contest. Tickets for "Cafe Hunger" are available for $10 to students and $20 to the public. Tickets may be purchased by calling (814) 863-0249 and (814) 863-0467 or e-mailing mbm8@psu.edu, slk5@psu.edu or nea10@psu.edu. All proceeds benefit the Food Bank of the State College Area Inc. and Heifer International.

Other hunger activities on Oct. 11 in the Pasquerilla Center will include:

-- 10 a.m.: "The Promise," a video produced by Heifer International.

-- noon: "A Constant Struggle," a film directed by Barbara Bird, associate professor of communications, and Penn State graduate Jennifer Shelley. After the film, Berry Friesen of the Pennsylvania Hunger Action Center will offer remarks on hunger in Pennsylvania. Audience members are encouraged to bring canned goods to donate to the local food bank.

-- 1 p.m.: "Sowing Seeds of Hunger," a video produced by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations.

-- 3 p.m.: "Remedies: Healing the Earth," a video produced by Heifer International.

-- 5:30 p.m.: "A Constant Struggle," a film directed by Barbara Bird, associate professor of communications, and Penn State graduate Jennifer Shelley.

-- All day: Informational displays by Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture, World Food Day, Food Bank, Crop Walk, Empty Bowls, Oxfam and Heifer International.

Geelhoed's visit is sponsored by the College of Agricultural Sciences' Office of International Programs, the Pennsylvania Nutrition Education Program in the College of Health and Human Development, the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center, Penn State Health Services and the Arts and Health Outreach Initiative.

Other campus and community events are scheduled through Oct. 15 to
mark 2004 World Hunger Week.