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ASU community to attempt to break world record for hunger relief


World Record to End Hunger event graphic
October 20, 2014

Arizona State University and Valley of the Sun United Way will kick off a year of philanthropy, Oct. 25, when ASU students and community members attempt to break the Guinness Book of World Records’ Most Hunger Relief Kits Assembled record at the Band Practice Fields on the Tempe campus.

At the World Record to End Hunger event, Sun Devils Unite volunteers will enjoy student-planned activities, games, a performance by the a cappella group Priority Male, and an opportunity to learn about future service events. The attempt to break the record is expected to provide more than 14,000 meals to children in the local communities by simultaneously assembling 2,000 "weekend hunger backpack" kits in just three minutes.

This is the second year ASU and Valley of the Sun United Way have partnered for Sun Devils Unite, a collaborative movement led by multiple ASU student organizations.

In spring 2014, Sun Devils Unite hosted a weeklong series of philanthropic events attended by thousands of ASU students to help end hunger and homelessness, and to assist children and families in the Valley. More than $60,000 was raised that week for the Valley of the Sun United Way.

This fall, students have chosen to expand the weeklong series of philanthropic events to an entire year – beginning with the Oct. 25 World Record to End Hunger event – with a goal to raise $83,500 through additional events planned throughout the 2014-2015 academic year.

Additional events include:

Devil-X Homecoming kick off and social jam
4-6:30 p.m., Oct. 24
Sun Devil Fitness Complex pool deck, Tempe campus
Learn about Devil-X Fitness while enjoying delicious, healthy beverages, and sweat it out with a grind and zumba workout. Raffle tickets will be sold for $1 with a grand prize of a free semester group fitness pass. This event is free and open to all students.

Make a Difference Day – World Record to End Hunger
noon-3 p.m., Oct. 25
Band Practice Fields, Rural Road and 6th Street, Tempe campus
Volunteers will fill at least 1,400 hunger relief kits with food in three minutes. Valley of the Sun United Way will distribute the kits to children in need through the Weekend Hunger Backpack Program. Register at http://vsuw.org/asu.

Homecoming Block Party
Silent auction and Make Hunger Disappear at Homecoming
Nov. 1
University Drive and Palm Walk, Tempe campus
Guests can bid on a variety of auction items. In addition, Student United Way challenges our community to Make Hunger Disappear. A 30-foot-long structure spells out "hunger” in plates, and for every donation, volunteers will remove a portion of the structure until the word literally disappears. All proceeds benefit Valley of the Sun United Way.

Dancing with the Devils, sponsored by Student United Way and Devil DanceSport
6-10 p.m., Nov. 15
Paragon Dance Center, 931 E. Elliot Rd., Suite 101, Tempe, 85284
A charity ball including a dance lesson and open dancing. Tickets are $10 for students with student ID, and $15 for all others. Learn popular dances like the fox trot, Rumba and the waltz. Proceeds benefit Valley of the Sun United Way.

Literacy Awareness Event
February-March 2015
(location TBD)
ASU will partner with Valley of the Sun United Way to host a literacy event at a nearby at-risk elementary school.

Devils In Disguise
March 28, 2015
Don't miss ASU’s largest community service event, which raises awareness of the needs of the community in the Valley.

Oozeball
April 4, 2015
Rio Salado Parkway and Rural Road, Tempe
Students, staff and community members will have a chance to participate in the annual Oozeball Tournament, which is in its 30th year. Oozeball combines the great game of volleyball with a giant mud pit for two teams to battle it out to the end.

Greek Sing
April 12, 2015
Gammage Auditorium, Tempe campus
Greek Sing will be the fraternity and sorority communities’ largest philanthropic event. Chapters will team up to create, choreograph, direct and perform musicals to raise money for the Valley of the Sun United Way. Awards will be given to the best shows, with the ultimate prize going to the chapters that raise the most money for the Valley of the Sun United Way.

For more information about upcoming events and activities, visit https://eoss.asu.edu/sundevilsunite.