Hunger Banquet gives taste of inequality

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      (This story is sponsored by .)

      Where do you sit in the fight against global inequality, poverty, and hunger? According to a UN report released in September 2018, the number of chronically hungry people in the world has been on the rise for the past three years. Global hunger reached a staggering 821 million in 2017—that’s the equivalent of one person in every nine.

      In a world abundant with food, the level of malnutrition is unacceptably high. A third of reproductive-age women are anemic and each year, around 20 million babies are born underweight. Although significant steps have been taken, urgent action is required to end malnutrition.

      give individuals the opportunity to make a difference, both locally and globally. The interactive events bring to life the inequalities in our world and help increase Oxfam’s ability to respond to global crises, highlight issues of injustice, and challenge policies and social practices that keep people trapped in poverty.

      And now, for the first time ever, event is coming to Vancouver. Taking place on Tuesday, June 4 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Terminal City Club (837 West Hastings Street), guests are invited to Oxfam Canada’s biggest event of the year.

      Keith Lane/Oxfam America

      “It’s such a unique concept and I think that’s what draws people to it,” says Attiya Hirji, Hunger Banquet Champion at Oxfam Canada. “It’s an interactive, experiential event, which encourages individuals to step into the shoes of somebody who faces hunger and poverty.”

      When guests arrive they draw tickets at random that assign them to a high-, middle-, or low-income group based on world statistics on poverty. The luck of the draw determines each person’s experience during the evening, beginning with where the person will sit and what meal they’re served.

      Keith Lane/Oxfam America

      “It puts a face and a story to the issue, by giving character cards to all the attendees that includes their name, their background story, and their home country,” explains Hirji. “It will give Canadians in attendance the ability to really connect with an individual living half way across the world, and see poverty and privilege in a whole new light.”

      A very small percentage of people will be seated in the high-income group, but those who do will be served a delicious catered meal with wine. The majority, however, will sit on the floor to eat a bowl of rice with a glass of water. And through eye-opening narration, the evening will be an immersive and life-changing experience.

      Keith Lane/Oxfam America

      Over the past four decades, more than 900,000 people have attended Oxfam Hunger Banquets across North America, many of which have been organized at local levels by volunteers. Tickets for the Vancouver event are $55 and can be purchased via the at . Although you will experience what it’s like to be hungry, don’t worry if you have a big appetite. Oxfam and the Terminal City Club will not let you actually leave hungry. Proceeds from every ticket sale go toward Oxfam’s work fighting hunger and poverty around the world.

      “We feel that there’s definitely an interest among Canadians to have an impact overseas and they are seeking out a tangible way to get involved and make a difference,” Hirji says. “This event offers exactly that.”

      Although few participants will complete the Hunger Banquet with full stomachs, all will leave filled with a greater understanding of the problems of global hunger and poverty—and with the motivation to do something about it.

      “It’s about being able to come together and inspire and encourage Canadians to be a part of life-saving work,” Hirji says. “The Hunger Banquet gives people the opportunity to have a big impact even from right at home in Canada.”

      In addition to raising awareness and funds, these events bring together people from diverse backgrounds to engage in important dialogue about very human issues. Oxfam encourages attendees to host their own Hunger Banquets. After all, as global citizens we have a shared responsibility to take care of one another. And events like the Hunger Banquet give people from all walks of life the chance to join a powerful movement, and even create a movement themselves.

      Keith Lane/Oxfam America

      “Past participants talk about feeling moved and connected to a cause bigger than themselves after leaving a Hunger Banquet,” Hirji says. “Being confronted with the reality and the severity of the issue really puts things into perspective, but also persuades Canadians to join us in tackling poverty and injustice.”

      takes place on Tuesday (June 4) from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Terminal City Club (837 West Hastings Street). For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the website at /.

      Oxfam Canada