One hundred University of St. Thomas students will gain insight into the lives of the homeless Friday, April 15, when they leave their comfy beds and cell phones behind and spend the night sleeping in cardboard boxes on the quadrangle of the university’s St. Paul campus.
“The goal of ‘Sleeping for a Solution’ is to increase students’ understanding of homelessness, raise funds for St. Anne’s Place, a North Minneapolis emergency shelter for women and children, and collect food donations for Second Harvest Heartland,” explained Amanda Schultz, a St. Thomas senior who is among those organizing the event.
Sleeping for a Solution is sponsored by the university’s Undergraduate Student Government. The event, which is limited to the first 100 students who sign up, will run from 8 p.m. Friday, April 15, to 7:30 a.m. Saturday, April 16. The website for more information and to register is here. Information also is available by emailing Cassidy Stephen.
Participants are asked to bring a sleeping bag, pillow and food donations. They are asked to not bring any food or drink, alcohol, flashlights, bags or electronic items, including cell phones, music players or cameras.
In addition to food items, the suggested minimum donation for each participant is $25.
The evening program will include speakers, prizes and activities (including a cardboard-box-decorating contest) that runs from 8:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. A breakfast will be served from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m.
Sleeping for a Solution has a Facebook page here.
