Students Nationwide Commemorate World Food Day By Pulling An 'All-Nighter for the Poor'
by Food For The Poor

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Aug. 25, 2009) - Would you consider pulling an all-nighter on your campus? Not to cram for an exam or write a paper, but as a way to help starving children and their families in developing countries.

On Oct. 16, World Food Day, students nationwide will come together for one night to participate in Food For The Poor's "All-Nighter for the Poor." Participating groups will raise money to feed children who suffer from malnutrition. In Haiti, one in eight children dies before the age of 5.

At Barry University in Miami Shores, students enrolled in a Sociology of Violence course, as well as those in various clubs, and organizations, will participate in the event.

"We have many students from Haiti and other nations in the Caribbean, so the incredible work by Food For The Poor is close to their hearts," said Dr. Laura Finley, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology and Criminology, at Barry University. "Also, service is a key part of Barry University's mission. The all-nighter will be a wonderful way for students to see that poverty and hunger are indeed forms of violence."

Lynn University in Boca Raton is another school participating in the all-night event. Members of Lynn's Students For The Poor club have journeyed to Haiti with Food For The Poor for several years. Travelers assist in the preparation and distribution of food at the charity's feeding program in Port-au-Prince. They witness thousands of people gathering, anxiously awaiting what for many will be their only meal for the day.

"Traveling to Haiti was the most profound, spiritual and emotional week of my life," said Father Marty Devereaux, Lynn University Chaplain. "If you look into their eyes and look to see Christ, it then becomes a journey deeper into your faith. The experience grabs your heart like no piece of paper or photo can."

The night of Oct. 16, Food For The Poor will broadcast live via a Web-conference to participants, sharing videos, live music, photos, stories from the field and testimonials. Through raising awareness and sponsorship donations, college groups and organizations will fund programs that enable poverty-stricken communities throughout the Caribbean and Latin America to feed themselves.

Register to participate in All-Nighter for the Poor by calling 1-877-654-2960, ext. 6988 or by e-mailing info@allnighterforthepoor.org. To download publicity materials, create personalized donation pages and more, visit www.allnighterforthepoor.org.

Campuses to participate in All-Nighter for the Poor include: Barry University, Broward College, Bryant University, Chemeketa Community College, Concordia University, Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University, Franciscan University, Furman University, Lawrence University, Luther College, Lynn University, Miami Dade College, Purdue University, Sacred Heart University, Saginaw Valley State University, Stephen F. Austin State University, Tufts University, University of Arizona, University of Florida, University of Miami, University of Kansas, University of Wisconsin, and University of Wyoming.

Food For The Poor, the largest international relief and development organization in the nation, does much more than feed millions of hungry poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. We provide emergency relief assistance, clean water, medicines, educational materials, homes, support for orphans and the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance, with more than 96 percent of all donations going directly to programs that help the poor.

Contact:
Jennifer Leigh Oates
Public Relations Coordinator
(954) 427-2222 x6054
jennifero@foodforthepoor.com

Tuesday, August 25, 2009