2023 Feast or Famine

The 2023 Feast or Famine happened, but not how anyone expected. What was originally supposed to be a half day “in-house” field trip with a cross seminar and set up time for the big event– our poverty simulation and annual fundraiser– was proceeded by several ~~snow days~~ remote learning days. We opted to postpone the cross seminar until students had had more time back in class, but since many folks had already defrosted the turkey they planned to donate, or baked the treats they hoped to bring, we still held the event.

The room was set up by students who had WDS classes already scheduled, and the event went off with relatively few hitches. When it was all said and done, we’d raised almost $700 for local food banks and several hundred pounds of shelf-stable food.

A huge shout out is in order for the dozens of parents and students who made and donated food for this event!

How does the poverty simulation work?
Well, students can pay $5 to draw from a hat that is stocked with the same percentages related to global food insecurity. This means that you have a 60% chance of drawing “feast,” and getting to join a giant potluck of holiday foods and treats, and a 40% chance of drawing “famine” and being led to the side room for rice and water for lunch. The goal of this event is to help students recognize that they have been born into their circumstances by chance and that facing food insecurity as a child is never the child’s fault. Students can also donate cans of food instead of paying with dollars, and as always, an ‘instant feast’ is available for $12.

All proceeds benefit WDS, the Chugiak High Food Pantry, and other local food pantries.