Chugiak World Discovery Seminar Program

In November, the WDS Community planned and implemented the return of our “Feast or Famine” tradition, which is a potluck-style event that raises awareness and funds to combat local and global food insecurity. This year, we had more than 150 people participate and raised over $700 and several hundred pounds of food for the CHS food pantry and Eagle River food pantry.

Feast or Famine is a hunger simulation to demonstrate the number of youth in the world who do not have access to adequate nutrition. Recent research suggests the food insecurity has grown since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and has not slowed down.

Participants pay $5 to draw from the jar and have a 66% of drawing “Feast,” which grants them access to a giant Thanksgiving-style potluck. Those who draw “Famine” are lead to a side room for a meal of rice and water and are kept in a barricaded portion of the room where they can see the feast and not partake.

People can also bring cans in lieu of cash donations, and can purchase an “instant feast” for $12 if they don’t want to press their luck.