North Central College hosts documentary about food insecurity in America

Oct 08, 2013

North Central College will host a free screening of the documentary “A Place at the Table” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8, in Smith Hall at Old Main.

The film examines the issue of hunger in America through the lens of three people who struggle with food insecurity. Through each of their stories, the film directors/producers Kristi Jacobson and Lori Silverbush study the key factors contributing to the hunger crisis in America, illustrating how our nation’s food distribution system, social support programs and even well-meaning charitable organizations allow the cycle to continue. Click here to view the trailer. 

Matthew Gross ’99 will introduce the film and, after the showing, take questions and suggest ways to make nutritious food more affordable for everyone. Gross is deputy director of Chicago’s Central office for the faith-based, advocacy organization Bread for the World.

In April 2013, eight North Central College students attended the Ecumenical Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C., where they heard a presentation by Barbie Izquierdo, one of the people in the film who struggles to feed her children. As a result, the students requested the documentary to be shown on campus.

The film is part of the College’s 2013-2014 focus on human rights and poverty reduction and is cosponsored by Cultural Events, International Programs, the Office of Ministry and Service, the United Methodist Student Organization, and Leadership, Ethics and Values.

For more information contact the Rev. Lynn Pries, campus chaplain, at 630-637-5104 or llpries@noctrl.edu.