For those of us who live comfortably, it’s difficult to imagine going to bed hungry every night.

Yet, this is the case for thousands worldwide.

The University of Denver’s Hunger Banquet is presented annually to educate students about the hardships faced daily by people living in poor countries, as well as those who go without food in the United States.

This year, the banquet will take place on Feb. 2 in the Driscoll Ballroom from 5-7 p.m.

“We sponsor this event annually, because we think that as an interactive program, it has a more memorable impact on those who attend,” said peer advisor Sarah Anderson. “The oxfam hunger banquet is about action as much as it is about education, and students have the opportunity to sign up with volunteer organizations around denver.”

The hope is that students participating in the Hunger Banquet will no longer believe the myths of global poverty and hunger.

The event is free, and food will be served, though not everyone will get the same portion, meaning that about 66 per cent of the guests will not eat much, said Anderson.

Some students will be served portions of food representative of “upper class” meals and some will be served “middle class” meals. Others will only be able to eat small portions representative of “lower class” meals.

The number of students eating these meals will represent the global equivalent of these social groups. In past years, those students who were in the “lower class” groups have been given just bread and water or nothing at all to represent what those striken by poverty would eat.

At past dinners, the food has also been based on ethnic populations in the world.

For example, the number of students eating traditional Hispanic food was in porportion to the number of Hispanics in the world.

In addition to a meal, students will be able to participate in interactive discussions, and will allow them opportunities to get involved with local charities.

There are signs around campus advertising the Hunger Banquet.

In addition to the information about the banquet, these signs state that many people around the world survive on less than $1 a day.

Though the event is free, organizers will need to know how much food to order.

Anyone interested should RSVP to x12964 or saanders@du.edu.