November 17-21, 2025

Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is a nationwide annual initiative that The Catholic University of America proudly participates in. Rooted in our Catholic mission and commitment to the dignity of every person, this week invites our community to join others across the country in drawing attention to the realities of hunger and homelessness. Throughout the week, we will offer a series of events grounded in education, service, prayer, and advocacy as we seek to respond to these issues with both compassion and action. Read below to learn more about Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week and how our campus will be taking part.

  • Resource Monday

    Coat Drive

    Donate your gently worn warm outwear to the Cardinal Closet in recognition of the nationwide Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week efforts. Items commonly requested are coats, jackets, heavy sweaters, scarves, gloves, boots, etc. 

    Items will be processed in the Pryz lobby on Monday, 11/17 from 11:30am-1:30pm, and also accepted all week on a rolling basis via the Cardinal Closet in McMahon B05 (Tues-Fri, 2-5pm). 

    Link to the Nest: https://nest.cua.edu/event/11821000

  • Testimonial Tuesday

    Hunger Roundtable

    Tuesday, November 18, 10:00 - 11 AM

    Housing Speaker Panel

    Tuesday, November 18, 6:30 - 8:00 PM

    Join us for a panel lecture titled, "From Displacement to Dignity: Supporting Unhoused Residents in DC" Join us for a panel lecture on the state of homelessness in DC, featuring a speaker with lived experience and supported by academic panel experts in the field, addressing root causes, local and national solutions, and ways to get involved with actionable resources.

    Learn more about our speakers.

    Register on the Nest: https://nest.cua.edu/event/11827457

  • Take Action Wednesday

    Thanksgiving Meal Packing Party

    Wednesday, November 19, 7:00 - 8:00 PM, Pryzbyla Great Room B

    Join Campus Ministry's Cardinal Cupboard for a night of Service, packaging Thanksgiving themed grocery bags for our neighborhood partners at the Edgewood Brookland family support collaborative. 

    Register on the Nest: https://nest.cua.edu/event/11766428

    Fr. McKenna Center 

    Wednesday, November 19, 6:55 - 9 AM, The Cellar
    Come serve breakfast to men experiencing homelessness at the McKenna Center! Please arrive at the Cellar by 6:55 am. Wear close-toed shoes and long pants. We will travel to the McKenna Center together and return by 9:00am. Please RSVP on The Nest. For questions or accommodations, please email cua-service@cua.edu.

    Register on the Nest: https://nest.cua.edu/event/11440709

  • Advocacy Thursday

    Postcard Campaign

    Thursday, November 20, 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, Pryz Front Entrance

    Support our unhoused neighbors by advocating to the DC Mayor and Council to increase funding for permanent supportive housing vouchers in her upcoming budget. This is a critical, life-saving DC program, and we need your help and support! Pre-printed postcards and education materials will be available onsite.

    Register on the Nest: https://nest.cua.edu/event/11867040

  • Education Friday

    Sacred Heart Service Site

    Friday, November 21, from 2:45 - 5:30 PM.

    Come and serve dinner to the parishioners at Sacred Heart Parish.

    Register on The Nest: https://nest.cua.edu/event/11441207

Pray

Prayer for Hunger & Homelessness Week: 

Make us worthy, Lord, to serve our fellow men throughout the world, who live and die in poverty and hunger. Give them through our hands, this day, their daily bread, and by our understanding love, give peace and joy.

—­Blessed Pope Paul VI

Hunger & Homelessness Week Spiritual Challenge: 

I will express my gratitude to God for the food I receive through his providence by praying before and after every meal. I will not waste food, taking only what I need, remembering those who go without.

Serve

See opportunities for service during HH Week in the rows above to help those experiencing food scarcity and homelessness. Links to RSVP for each event are listed under "Schedule of Events" on the right side of your screen. 

Campus Ministry offers weekly recurring service opportunities, as well as multiple monthly and one-off service activities throughout the year as well! Here a just a few we wish to highlight. 

  • Father McKenna Center: A Campus Ministry weekly service site where students serve breakfast to guests at the McKenna Center on a weekly basis. Students can volunteer beginning in their first semester at CUA.
  • Sacred Heart Dinners/Food Packing: Campus Ministry weekly service site where students support local hunger outreach by helping with dinner service and food distribution (two separate events) at Sacred Heart parish. Students can volunteer beginning in their first semester at CUA.
  • Homeless Food Runs: A Campus Ministry weekly service site where students travel to Union Station and other parts of D.C.  to distribute food and spend time with individuals experiencing homelessness. Students can participate beginning in their first semester at CUA.

For a complete list of offerings, see our Service Opportunities page. 

Learn

Hunger and Homelessness is a complex issue. We've provided some basic information about this topic on the following subpage.

Learn More

Give

Drop off non-perishable items or clothes throughout HH week at our on-campus food pantry or sustanable clothes swap, or donate online here. Visit our webpages below for drop off times and office hours: