TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama Community Service Center is hosting events for Hunger and Homelessness Week Feb. 18-22 to raise awareness about the effects of poverty locally and around the world.

The Grate American Sleep Out will be held on the UA Quad Wednesday, Feb. 20 from 6:30 p.m.-6 a.m. with students sleeping outside to simulate being homeless.

The Sleep Out will begin with a screening of “Invisible Children” in Nott Hall. The event will feature speakers from the Old Firehouse Shelter in Birmingham, knitting scarves for donation and Adopt-A-Puppy or Kitten.

Volunteer opportunities for the week will be available through the Salvation Army, the Community Soup Bowl and other agencies; students can sign up to volunteer at the CSC in 231 Ferguson Center.

Throughout the week there will be a personal hygiene products drive and students will be able to donate items through student organizations or individually. Items can be brought to the CSC; items collected in the drive will be donated to Temporary Emergency Services.

Additionally, the American Red Cross is sponsoring a blood drive on campus at Gorgas Library Feb. 18-19 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

The week will conclude with a Hunger Banquet Thursday, Feb. 21 in the Ferguson Ballroom. Stephen Black, director of the UA Center for Ethics & Social Responsibility, will be the banquet guest speaker. Everyone attending the hunger banquet will draw a number upon arrival for first, second or Third World meals. Admission to the banquet is free.

For more information about Hunger and Homelessness Week events and volunteer opportunities, contact Regina Peña at rapena@bama.ua.edu or call the CSC at 205/348-2865.

The University of Alabama, a student-centered research university, is in the midst of a planned, steady enrollment growth with a goal of reaching 28,000 students by 2010. This growth, which is positively impacting the campus and the state's economy, is in keeping with UA's vision to be the university of choice for the best and brightest students. UA, the state's flagship university, is an academic community united in its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all Alabamians.