The Department of Communications at WT will be having a food drive doubled as a contest within the department as part of The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

The drive started Sept. 19 and will stop on Oct. 17, the official day for The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

Dr. Donald Lee, a retired economist for the United Nations, spoke at WT on March 6, 2012 about The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty and inspired the communication honor society, Lambda Pi Eta, to put the drive and contest together.

Different clubs and organizations in the department will participate in the contest including Eternal Flame, Communication Studies majors, WT Forensics Team and Communication Graduate Students. First group to fill their barrel wins and all donations will be given to the High Planes Food Bank.

“[It’s] an opportunity for them to develop leadership skills,” Dr. Trudy Hanson, Head of the Communications Department, said.

According to Lee, half of the world’s population lives on less than $2.50 a day. In response to that, the communication department is challenging people to eat only the food that they can purchase for $2.50 on Oct. 17 to raise awareness for those who live on that amount all the time.

“I would be willing to try to do this,” Jaron Kerr, a senior Mechanical Engineering major said. “I normally eat that for breakfast.”

Professor Mona Gregory, an instructor in communication, is selling bracelets made by a woman named Oumou in Niger, Africa for World Poverty Day. The Vietnamese organization at WT and The Legacy are selling them also, but Gregory is challenging other organizations to sell them as well

“I want to make people aware and give them an opportunity to help.” Gregory said.