2026 Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week

Join the Student Community Engagement Center and our campus and community partners in honor of Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week from November 16th - November 20th!

Hunger & Houselessness Awareness Week (HHAW) is a national campaign that takes place annually the week before Thanksgiving. This week serves as a time for reflection and action, shedding light on the dual issues of hunger and houselessness, which impact millions of Americans. Organized by campuses and communities nationwide, HHAW provides opportunities for learning, dialogue, and volunteerism, encouraging individuals to consider ways to support those in need while recognizing our own privileges.

Learn about the movement

Book Drive Happening All Week from Nov. 16th - Nov. 20th:

Book Drive for Street Books: Love reading? Got some extra paperbacks to spare? Donate them to Street Books as part of Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week! Partnering with Street Books, a unique bicycle-powered library serving Portland’s unhoused community, the Student Community Engagement Center hosts a book drive during Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week. This initiative supports Street Books' mission of providing literary resources to those who may not have access to a traditional library.

Donations of books in good condition are welcome, fiction--especially westerns, science fiction and fantasy, horror (think, Stephen King, Anne Rice or Dean Koontz), thrillers(like James Patterson), true crime (Ann Rule)-- and anything written by often underrepresented writers-- like BIPOC, women, LGBT folks, etc,. Poetry, Non-fiction, spirituality (especially Buddhism/mindfulness), self-help, politics, history and philosophy. Books about recovery are always appreciated, as are Spanish-language books. Comic books/graphic novels, unused puzzle books, blank journals and adult coloring books!

Paperbacks are much preferred as they are lighter to carry. No textbooks, please!

Donation boxes can be found all week in:

Smith Memorial Student Union

First Floor Mezzanine in m113 (SALP Clubhouse)
First Floor Mezzanine in m103 (Hub for Service & Sustainability)
Fourth floor in the Queer Resource Center lounge (439)

FMH Building

Third Floor in the Career Center (Suite 342)
Third Floor in the English Department (Suite 310)

Urban Studies Building

Nohad Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning (Suite 350)

Learn More!

students sitting at desk creating greeting cards

Monday 11/16: Craft Cards for Seniors in Collaboration with the PSU Library

Looking for a way to make a difference before the holidays? Want to meet other PSU students while volunteering? Join PSU's Student Community Engagement Center to volunteer your time making greeting cards for Store to Door to brighten a senior's day! We will meet in the PSU Library Sandbox from 12:40-1:30pm!

Tuesday 11/18: Transition Project

Looking for a hands-on way to make a difference? Join us as we volunteer with Transition Projects, which works to engage folks at all levels of their journey from homelessness to housing. We will sort donations and hygiene products to support distribution to those who need them. November 17th from 2-4pm.

Wednesday 11/19:

COMING SOON....

Five students smile for the camera while standing around a table holding bags of rice they are filling from a central bag.

Thursday 11/19: Repackaging with PSU Food Pantry!

Join SCEC and the PSU Food Pantry to repackage spices and other goods for students for the upcoming holidays during Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week. November 19th from 12:30 to 1:30pm

Friday 11/20: Sort Household Donations at Community Warehouse

Looking for a hands-on way to make a difference? Join us as we volunteer with Community Warehouse, during this project, volunteers will assist with ongoing tasks such as bundling silverware, sorting linens, assembling furniture, and other warehouse needs. November 20th from 5:30-7pm.

Our Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week Partners

Transition Projects is a major nonprofit organization based in Portland, Oregon, dedicated to helping individuals and families experiencing homelessness transition into permanent housing. Known for providing essential resources, operating shelter facilities, and offering short- and long-term housing programs, Transition Projects empowers individuals to rebuild their lives and achieve greater stability. Through its resource centers, more than 680 shelter beds, and specialized services for individuals and military veterans, the organization provides critical support while helping people overcome barriers to housing and work toward long-term independence.

Learn more...

Community Warehouse is a furniture bank that supplies donated home goods to families and individuals transitioning into stable housing. By redistributing gently-used furniture and household items, they help create warm, functional living spaces that foster comfort and stability.

Learn more...

Store to Door is a volunteer-driven organization that delivers groceries & other essentials to Portland’s homebound elderly and disabled residents. Through reliable, friendly service, Store to Door ensures that vulnerable individuals can remain nourished and independent in their own home.

Learn more...

Street Books brings books to people living outside in Portland. Through its bicycle-powered library, Street Books provides access to reading materials, creating a unique bridge to literature for those who may not have access otherwise.

Learn more...

The Basic Needs Hub at Portland State University is dedicated to supporting students experiencing challenges with meeting their basic needs. By providing a centralized place for students to access essential resources and support services, the Hub helps address needs related to food, housing, financial assistance, and overall well-being. Through its commitment to connecting students with resources when they need them most, the Basic Needs Hub empowers students to focus on their academic success, career goals, and personal relationships while working toward greater stability and independence.

Learn more...

On-Campus Resources

Resources to Support Students Experiencing Food or Housing Insecurity

The Smallwood Food Pantry works to provide free groceries for PSU students in partnership with the Oregon Food Bank and through support from PSU and private donors. We provide people enrolled at PSU with access to free groceries several thousand times per year in a welcoming, equitable, trauma-informed way.

Food Pantry: Open five days a week to PSU students in SMSU 48 in the basement of Smith Memorial Student Union.
Free Food Market: The 2nd Monday of every month, 9:30 - 11am (or until food runs out) in the South Park Blocks behind Shattuck Hall

Located on campus, the Basic Needs Hub connects students to food, housing, and other essential resources, ensuring they have the support needed to focus on their education and well-being. Our mission is to connect PSU students to resources in the moment of need so students can focus on academic

Learn more...

Learn About Local Organizations Supporting Individuals Experiencing Hunger & Homelessness

The Student Community Engagement Center will be featuring local organizations doing important work in supporting individuals experiencing hunger and homelessness on Instagram (portland_state_volunteers). Follow us Instagram to learn more about these organizations and how to get involved!