The Student Organization Cabinet will meet Tuesday to discuss projects to fight hunger in the Eastern and Charleston community.

The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. in Room 1895 of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union and bring various representatives from different registered student organizations together to address the EIU Hunger Challenge, said Jenna Mitchell, the student vice president for student affairs and a senior political science major.

Mitchell said the EIU Hunger Challenge is an effort by the Student Senate to address the issue of hunger in the Charleston-Mattoon area.

Committees within the Student Senate will present the programs they are organizing to fight hunger at the meeting.

The committees will have a complete list of the events they are organizing, and each registered student organization will be encouraged to take part under the respective committees.

“There are different opportunities that are outlined for each organization to participate in, but it is up to them for their involvement,” Mitchell said.

Participation in the EIU Hunger Challenge is optional, but organizations participating will receive points for each event they participate in, she said.

“At the end of the month, organizations that have been faithfully participating should have a hefty amount of points,” Mitchell said. “Those with the most amount of points will be featured on the Community Service Wall in the Union.”

Mitchell said the EIU Hunger Challenge is an important educational tool, especially during the holiday season when many families go hungry.

“It’s designed as an educational process because I don’t think that most students are aware of the hunger that actually does take place within the community,” she said.

As well, the Student Organization Cabinet will construct a calendar of events registered student organizations will be hosting throughout the semester.

“We will also make an informal calendar of events taking place on campus so that we can make sure other organizations are there supporting and representing their organizations and the other students on campus, kind of like a unity aspect,” Mitchell said.

Registered student organizations will also be allowed time to present ideas and issues to the Student Senate members and student executives, which will attempt to assist the organizations in whatever way they can, she said.

Looking ahead, the committee will also seek input from the registered student organizations about the registration process for Pantherpalooza on Jan. 17.

Tim Deters can be reached at 581-2812 or tadeters@eiu.edu.