Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week (HHAW) was first initiated at Villanova University in 1975 under the direction Father Ray Jackson, O.S.A. Today, in association with the National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH) and the National Student Campaign against Hunger and Homelessness, over 750 educational communities across the nation participate in this annual event. This year’s event marked the 40^th Anniversary of HHAW at Villanova.

Each November, HHAW presents a unique opportunity to engage the Villanova community in discussions about root causes of poverty, food insecurity, and homelessness; while also striving to make a tangible difference in the lives of those experiencing poverty locally, nationally, and globally. In order to advance Villanova University’s aim of furthering education, service, and advocacy relating to these issues, HHAW hosts events that engage a diverse range of community members in dialogue and direct service.

This year Villanova student-athletes participated in a variety of the events put on by the HHAW Committee, and student head chair Patrick Smith shared about the impact they had:

“When student athletes become engaged in HHAW's events - such as the Food Fast Day/Helping Hands event or the Back on My Feet 5K their efforts generate a tremendous effect. As leaders on our campus, student-athletes have a unique opportunity to inspire others to get involved, while becoming more involved in social causes. We have great respect and enormous appreciation for the significant impacts that Villanova student-athletes have had in expanding our mission and the work of other social causes, and we hope that team-oriented participation continues to present rewarding opportunities for athletes to get involved.”

One of the activities generating the most participation is Food Fast Day. During this event, Villanova’s Dining Services staff members collect college “meal donations” from student meal plans. Donating one meal is the equivalent of approximately $6 to HHAW. In total, the Villanova community donated over 1,200 meals (approximately $7,500) to organizations working to address the manifestations and root causes of poverty.

Director of Athletics, Mark Jackson, expressed his support of student-athlete participation in HHAW, "having student-athletes that touch every corner of our community while having a true understanding of service is critically important to their development and experience at Villanova. I couldn’t be prouder of the awareness so many student-athletes brought to such an important cause for hunger and homelessness."

The Villanova Women’s Lacrosse team worked to impact communities abroad as well. Working with Catholic Relief Services and Stop Hunger Now during the “Helping Hands” Event, the team helped to pack almost 7000 meals to Burkina Faso to support ongoing relief efforts in that area.

A Hunger 5K, benefitting Back on My Feet, a national non-profit organization, was run this year by members of the Villanova Baseball, Softball, and Women’s Lacrosse.  Villanova University has a student led-group which volunteers with Back on My Feet each week during the academic year. Back on My Feet is an organization that uses running to help those experiencing homelessness change the way they see themselves so they can make real change in their lives that results in employment and independent living.  

“The participation of over thirty student-athletes not only contributed immensely to helping us raise over $3000 for Back on My Feet, but their enthusiasm, energy, and competitive spirits made such a difference in the life of the run,” Jennifer Joyce, Ph.D., Villanova Assistant Professor, Center for Peace and Justice Education, Advisor for Villanova’s Student Chapter of Back on My Feet, Organizer of the 5K and volunteer Villanova Softball Coach shared. “It was truly exceptional to see such passion and commitment from our student-athletes for such an important cause” continued Joyce.