Members of the Wisconsin Student Public Interest Research Group reached out to the community Saturday through their annual Hunger Cleanup.
The 25th annual Hunger Cleanup is a national project aimed at fighting hunger and homelessness through student volunteering and fundraising. The semester-long event is organized by the organization National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness.
According to Rashi Mangalick, co-coordinator of WISPIRG's Hunger and Homelessness campaign, the event provided an opportunity to help poor areas of Madison and to raise awareness about poverty.
""Many times, food pantries and shelters ... have so much to take care of that they do not have time to do little projects for themselves that need to get done,"" Mangalick said.
A total of 62 volunteers gathered to serve the Madison area by cleaning a bike path, stocking shelves, organizing donated clothing and gardening.
Before arriving to participate in the clean-up, members of WISPIRG worked in fundraising teams to collect donations and contributions for organizations that work to decrease homelessness. The student group will work to raise more money before turning it in next week.
""We raised $5,820, which was way over our goal,"" Mangalick said. ""We are increasing our goal to $6,500 and definitely think we can make it just by reaching out to everyone.""
According to a statement, the money raised through the project will go to several local, national and international organizations to help poverty-related areas, including Road Home, an organization that works to prevent poverty and homelessness.
The funds will also assist refugees in Darfur, Sudan, and help provide emergency medical supplies and education for Zimbabwean girls.
""We would love any help we can get, and it's so easy to donate ... Any amount helps,"" Mangalick said.
To make an online donation, visit hungercleanup.org.
