OXFORD, Miss. \u2013 The University of Mississippi Homeless Outreach is hosting a silent auction Nov. 17 to benefit local charities Interfaith Compassion Ministry and More Than a Meal.<\/p>\n
The fundraiser begins at 6 p.m. at Emileigh’s Kitchen on South Lamar Boulevard. UM Homeless Outreach is connected to ICM, which is a community partner of UM’s College Corps, a new students-in-service leadership group that provides long-term, substantial support to local nonprofits and school districts. College Corps members will also work the event.
\n“The auction will feature ceramic plates painted by notable individuals from the community,” said senior Bowman Hitchens of Oxford, one of the event’s three coordinators. “In addition to these plates, the auction will include additional pieces of art and items donated by students, community members and local businesses.<\/p>\n
“Our hope is that through this auction, we will help to raise awareness about homelessness in Oxford, as well as provide financial support for ICM and More Than a Meal.”<\/p>\n
Volunteers are needed to help collect art, hang posters and to work at the event.<\/p>\n
“We are collecting art and other items and would appreciate any help in soliciting people to donate art or items from local businesses,” said senior Mary Margaret Saulters of Tchula, another Corps member and co-coordinator. “If anyone has any questions, would like to donate art, or is interested in volunteering, please contact either Bowman Hitchens or myself.”<\/p>\n
Interfaith Compassion Ministry started in 1999 as a mission to individuals in crisis situations. Services include medication, housing, utility and rent payments, transportation and other needs of the homeless. Individuals can receive assistance twice a year.<\/p>\n
More Than a Meal meets every Tuesday at the Stone Center, where guests are provided dinner, children are tutored and people fellowship. Since its inception last year, it averages 100 people per week ranging in age from infants to the elderly. MTaM also gives away toiletries the first and third Tuesdays of each month.<\/p>\n
The College Corps is a new student leadership group in the UM College of Liberal Arts. Members volunteer to fight poverty and improve educational opportunity in the Oxford-Lafayette County area. As leaders in service, each member serves 300 hours per year to help meet the critical needs of carefully selected partner agencies. Members also receive AmeriCorps benefits and gain valuable experience, all while making a substantial and sustained contribution to the community.<\/p>\n
“The College of Liberal Arts is pleased with the important work of its new College Corps student leadership group to fight poverty and improve educational opportunity in the Oxford-Lafayette County area,” said Glenn Hopkins, dean of the liberal arts college.<\/p>\n
For more information about the UM College Corps, contact program coordinator Sharon Levine<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"