Last night, a number Penn student groups collaborated in hosting the annual Hunger Banquet to address the global problem of starvation.

By the literal luck of the draw, students were divided into groups that represented three segments of the world population: 15 percent privileged enough to eat fully-balanced meals, 25 percent able to provide themselves with staples such as rice and soup and 60 percent whose destitution leaves them with only rice and water.

Last night’s Hunger Banquet (Antoniette Costa)

“The main goal is for people to actually experience hunger and recognize the world’s food distribution disparities,” said Raina Wallace, event organizer and Engineering junior. “It works even better for those who haven’t eaten yet.”

The event served as an epiphany to many attendees by exposing the dire problem of world hunger. Facts and figures were intertwined with this interactive dining simulation. Those sitting on the floor atop newspapers eating bland rice experienced a sense of injustice and frustration as the aroma of a three course meal made them envy those entitled to sit at the privileged table.

To learn more about becoming involved locally check out the Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger website.

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