Every time a class lets out, students begin grumbling and complaining about the cold. They can be heard mumbling curses as they stagger down McKinley, fighting against wind and snow. It's cold this time of year - often freezing cold - and it's no fun to be outside for the few minutes it takes to walk between classes.
But consider those who are outside all day, those who don't have homes to walk to. Consider also those who cannot afford to pay the energy bill this month, so they will have to go without heat. Consider those Muncie residents living in poverty.
From some perspectives, being a "poor" college student doesn't look so bad.
According to STATS Indiana:
n An average of 1,221 Muncie families a month received Welfare in 2003.
n More than 10,000 families received food stamps in 2003.
n Muncie's unemployment rate hit 5.6 percent in September, which means more than 3,000 people in this community were without a job.
As students, we might not see or realize it's here, but poverty is a problem even in Muncie. It's not restricted just to Asia and Africa or big cities in the United States. We have to see poverty as a problem to solve on the local level, as well as nationally and globally.
People often assume those living in poverty don't try to get jobs or make choices that keep them living in poverty. However, as participants in the TEAMwork for Quality Living poverty simulations found out, there are different types of poverty. Not everyone living below the poverty line has the agency or ability to pull themselves up - sometimes they need a little help. Awareness, like the poverty simulations offer, does help, but only through action can we make a difference.
It's the holiday season, which means dozens of organizations - both on and off campus - will be asking for your money, canned foods or clothing to benefit the homeless and disadvantaged. This year, offer it to them.
With growing lists of family and friends to buy for, many students don't feel they have room in their pocketbooks for charitable donations - but your financial situation could always be worse. Donate what you can, and if you have no extra money lying around, volunteer your time.
Any good you can do will help, and anything you offer will make a difference. Also, making charitable giving a habit now makes you more likely to continue doing it in the future.
If Ball State's 20,500 graduate and undergraduate students and nearly 900 faculty members each give - in some way - to a poverty-fighting charity this year, imagine the difference we will make for the community we all live in.
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