Five area communities are coming together this week to raise awareness about hunger among their residents.
Leaders and volunteers in Biddeford, Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Kennebunk and Kennebunkport have been working together on coordinating a number of local activities for Hunger Awareness Week, May 18-24, which kicked off Saturday with the 6th annual 5K Run/2-Mile Walk to End Homelessness and Hunger at Mother’s Beach in Kennebunk. A number of other events are planned to mark the week, raise awareness and get a community dialogue going on the issue.
That discussion will culminate Thursday at the Biddeford High School Auditorium with a panel discussion at 7 p.m. Panel members will include Kristine Jenkins, coordinating director of Partners for a Hunger-Free York County, and Shay Stewart-Bouley, executive director of the Joyful Harvest Neighborhood Center in Biddeford.
Organizers and participants of these events should be applauded for their efforts, and hopefully their work will lead to better solutions for people in need, who may be hungry, homeless or just having a difficult time making ends meet.
Of particular note are the young people at Biddeford High School who are reaching out to their peers to encourage them to take advantage of free meals offered at the school this summer.
In an article in the Journal Tribune Weekend, students said they made a music video to get their message across, citing the need for some humor and fun to help engage their fellow students in talking about ”“ or at least educating about ”“ a little-discussed subject in the halls of BHS, or any other high school for that matter.
The music video, a spoof of Weird Al Yankovic’s song “Eat It,” which was a parody of the Michael Jackson song “Beat It,” was sung by “Jackson sound-alike” James Ociti, a junior at BHS, and Kyle Kraus, a freshman. The premise is that Ociti is trying to convince Kraus to eat lunch at the summer food program at BHS. The summer food program serves up free breakfast and lunch during the summer months for youth 18 and under, which will be offered at Biddeford schools and other locations, as well as schools and sites around the state.
Students stepping up to help out their peers is an encouraging sign, and we hope those who said the program is of great value, will attend ”“ even if they don’t need to ”“ to make use of the program and hopefully encourage a friend in need to go as well.
Biddeford Mayor Alan Casavant, who is also introducing Thursday’s panel discussion, said he hopes the event will become an annual one, and even grow in the future.
Talking about hunger and taking an active role in supporting one’s neighbors is certainly a step in the right direction for these communities, and get young people involved may help provide more long-term solutions in the years to come as they become our future leaders.
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Today’s editorial was written by City Editor Robyn Burnham on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.
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