Fort Wayne Marks Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week

Fort Wayne will join with communities around the nation and the globe to observe Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week November 16-22. Locally, the Fort Wayne Planning Council on Homelessness and the Rescue Mission spearhead a week's worth of activities and events designed to open the community's eyes to the realities of our neighbors who struggle each day with these challenges.

Opportunities for participation during the week include:

1) A news conference with Mayor Tom Henry and Pastor Donovan Coley, executive director of the Rescue Mission is set for Monday, November 17 at noon on the Courthouse Green.

2) A Tour of several of the facilities in Fort Wayne where people can seek shelter and be connected to programs to help move them to self-sufficiency is set for Wednesday, November 19 at noon. This van tour takes starts in the parking lot across from the University of Saint Francis Robert Goldstine Performing Arts Center (former Scottish Rite), 431 W. Berry St.

3) The "Real Change" Pop-Up Arts Event is scheduled for Wednesday, November 19 from 5-9 p.m. at Wunderkammer, 3402 Fairfield Ave. The public is encouraged to attend this first-of-its-kind event where people will interact with local artists whose work features the topic of homelessness. Work created by homeless artists will also be exhibited. This event is designed to engage attendees in ongoing conversation about the community and how each individual can do something to address the challenge of homelessness. The event is free, but donations of non-perishable food items are welcome.

4) Skip a Lunch, Feed a Bunch is scheduled for Thursday, November 20. On this day, everyone is invited to donate the money they would typically spend on lunch to the Rescue Mission, which provides more than 217,000 meals a year to anyone who needs them.