Eastern Connecticut State University is hosting its fifth annual Poverty Awareness Marathon with a goal of collecting 462 nonperishable items (to represent the 46.2 million Americans living in poverty) which will be donated to the Covenant Soup Kitchen. The marathon will be held from 7 a.m. to noon on Sept. 20. Registration is on the day of the event. A monetary donation of at least $1 or a canned good is needed to register. Health and Physical Education Professor Charlie Chatterton, Eastern’s men’s lacrosse team, Eastern’s women’s soccer team, and numerous other Eastern organizations are participating in the marathon. Donors and supporters will have the opportunity to run, walk or cheer on the participants during the marathon.
“Although we do intend to collect non-perishable food during this event, the overarching goal is to kick off this year’s community service opportunities with a project that raises awareness of something that impacts both our local and our global communities,” said Event Coordinator Maxwell Goto. “This event is a good way to raise awareness and promote service in our community that will help alleviate some of the stresses that poverty inflicts on an individual or family.”
Donations should be dropped off at the Sports Center or the Center for Community Engagement, located on the second floor of the Woods Support Services Center. For more information, call the Center for Community Engagement at (860) 465-0900.
Eastern Connecticut State University is the state’s public liberal arts university and serves approximately 5,400 students each year on its Willimantic campus and satellite locations.