Food. A small word that we as a society take for granted and yet everyday millions of Americans go without it.

The sheer numbers speak for themselves. The Statistical Assessment Service reported that in February 2000 more than 31 million Americans were without proper nourishment and one out of every six children goes to bed hungry.

This week is Hunger Awareness Week on the UW-Eau Claire campus, and several food drives will be under way serving the community of Eau Claire and the surrounding areas.

Some organizations made it their mission to end the starvation. The Feed My People Food Bank is one organization. It is a regional non-profit organization striving to end hunger in 13 counties in western Wisconsin.

This week, Feed My People, along with several other groups, is sponsoring food drives to collect goods for needy families.

Junior Derek Woodward is one of the volunteers helping out. He learned of the program through a flier and decided it was time to pitch in and help.

Woodward will be one of many volunteers working with the collection boxes next week and making sure the food gets to the people who need it most.

Senior Craig Lundquist is also pitching in. He learned of the group through a finance club at Eau Claire.

“It looked like a great cause,” Lundquist said. “Helping feed people in your community gives you a sense of purpose and a feeling of accomplishment.”

Beginning Monday and continuing throughout the week, labeled containers will be placed at all food service cash registers and front desks around campus for cash donations.

At 7 p.m. Tuesday, Outdoor Recreation and Habitat for Humanity are sponsoring “Shanty Town” on the campus mall where food donations can be dropped off. Other activities include the World Food Day teleconference Wednesday from 11 a.m. to noon at Davies Theatre.

A residence hall can sculpture contest will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday on Upper Campus. The music department will have a food drive at its A capella Extravaganza concert from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. outside Zorn Arena. A Feed My People Food Bank vehicle will be available to take food donations.

“It’s time to give back to the community,” Woodward said, “and help out those less fortunate than you.”