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Clayton Berry
Phone: 314.977.7117
berrycl@slu.edu
April 4, 2002
Economic Woes, Rising Unemployment Rate Increase Need for SLU Event that Helps Homeless
ST. LOUIS -- The nation's unemployment rate rose to nearly 6 percent in March, according to government figures released today. As the country's economic woes persist, experts believe the number of homeless people nationwide and in St. Louis will continue to grow.
That's why SLU's Open Doors is more important than ever. From 2-5 p.m. Monday, April 8, the University will open the doors of its student center at 20 N. Grand Blvd. to provide free food and clothing for the homeless.
Organizers of the annual SLU event expect to welcome hundreds of people, who will be served a hot meal and will be able to choose from clothing donated this winter by members of the University community.
Those are just short-term fixes though. Open Doors also will host local groups that strive to assist the poor -- job counseling centers and health services organizations -- who can offer long-term solutions.
Open Doors is part of SLU's Homeless Awareness Week, April 8-12. During the rest of the week, SLU students and staff will serve at local shelters, listen to experts on poverty and participate in an overnight sleepout to simulate homelessness.
About 100 student volunteers will be on hand to help Monday. Students also organize many of the week's activities. In addition to providing assistance to those in need, organizers hope volunteers will gain a better understanding of what it's like to live without a home.
