Perrysburg students stage hunger banquet to help the needy

Perrysburg High School student Patrick Wang, 17, serves himself rice during a hunger banquet.
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Students and staff of Perrysburg Schools joined with community members at a Hunger Banquet dinner Wednesday at Perrysburg High School to raise money and awareness for Tent City next weekend in Toledo.

Tent City is an annual event in Toledo to raise awareness about the homeless. It was founded by a Perrysburg High School 1975 alumnus Ken Leslie.

For the Perrysburg event, there was no cost for the meal served, but attendees were encouraged to make a donation to Tent City. 

“It is overwhelming to see the warm community reaching out and learning and helping those in need in our community,” Mr. Leslie said.

Perrysburg High School Key Club students served meals in three ways to show how food is served world wide. Some received meals served to them with salad and full plate, representing the wealthy (15 percent of the world); others had a buffet of rice and beans to represent the “middle class” in the world, making for 35 percent; and the majority sat on the ground and ate from a shared bowl of rice.

Mr. Leslie was “blown away” by student participation putting on the event.

Tent City founder Ken Leslie speaks to Perrysburg High School students during a hunger banquet.
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Senior Kylie Simon made an impression on Mr. Leslie with her desire to serve others.

The student, who is president of the Key Club, said, “It is amazing to have the opportunity to do this. People really stepped up, which is good because we are fortunate here in Perrysburg.”

The Key Club was responsible for advertising the event, serving the food, and playing host for the attendees.

Perrysburg Schools is hosting a Jackets Giving Jackets collection drive during the football game Friday, too. New and used jackets will be donated to those in need. 

The schools in the district are letting students and community members know other ways to get involved. Volunteering at Tent City from Oct. 24 to 26 through 1matters.org/tent/city/ and walking in the 1Mile Matters to End Veteran Homelessness which is kicking off Tent City Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. Mr. Leslie wants walkers to walk for a veteran they’d like to thank.

Contact Matt Thompson at: mthompson@theblade.com, 419-356-8786, or on Twitter at @mthompson25.