Junior Sama Alkalaf and sophomore Ashley Miller have founded the Miami University chapter of Nourish International, a nationwide group dedicated to eradicating poverty, and are looking for students to join their cause.
The group, which meets at 8 p.m. Wednesdays in Harrison 204, is one of a handful around the country that focuses on long term projects to benefit impoverished towns.
"We basically just want to get involved in as many things as we possibly can to let people know we exist and to get our name out," Miller said.
The chapter plans to hold a Coldstone Creamery buyout, where a portion of profits go to their organization, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 22, as well as selling food at the Phi Delt gates from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. Oct. 30, according to Miller.
"Since we're a new organization, we really need the start-up funds to do other ventures, and we're a really good cause because we're trying to help (eradicate) hunger," Miller said.
The chapter is currently narrowing down a cause from a list of ideas, including building a sustainable school in Guatemala.
"The big national Nourish mission is to not approach these communities with an elitist American attitude," Alkalaf said. "We want to empower them to be successful."
Nourish member junior Chelsea Clarke agreed.
"Not that other organizations have that (American elitist) attitude," Clarke said. "But, I think for like Ambassadors for Children they go on the trip and do a lot of good, but it's only for a week and it's really different than going and building something."
The chapter forms different committees that focus on different aspects and skills, including finance, awareness, projects, ventures and marketing. Students can focus on what they are interested in, according to Alkalaf.
"It's really cool for members that they can take ownership of Nourish and really become involved," Alkalaf said.
The chapter, although new, has been contacted by other campus organizations that support their cause, according to Clarke.
"People have been contacting us saying you have a great cause and wanting to help and collaborate." Clarke said. "I found out about a lot of things in Miami I didn't know about before."
They are also contacting numerous organizations to try to get them involved, including athletic teams, Greek life and residence halls hoping to instill their passion in others, according to Clarke.
"We're all so excited about what we're doing and we really believe we can help these people and keep that in mind at all our meetings," Alkalaf said. "This is going to be something that's around for awhile and make a difference in people's lives."
Although its goal is to start a project, the chapter truly just wants to educate people on poverty, according to Clarke.
"I think people don't know enough about the levels of poverty in the world," Miller said. "We know that poverty is out there but it doesn't affect us, so it doesn't bother us."
Clarke agreed.
"We all love Miami, but we're all pretty aware that it could become a sort of bubble," Clarke said. "This is something that's bigger than Miami, bigger than ourselves."
