The Marshall University Alumni Association will serve the homeless as a prelude to National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week on Saturday, Nov. 5.

From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, Marshall alumni, community members and volunteers will participate in Herd for the Homeless and serve breakfast and lunch and distribute winter clothing items.

According to a press release from the Marshall Alumni Association, volunteers and donation items, like winter outerwear and peanut butter, are needed. Some local churches and other groups are sponsoring and collecting these items as well.

Assistant director of alumni programs, Larry Crum, said the alumni association wants to help keep alumni involved and connected with Marshall, even after their time as a student.

“We really want Marshall alumni to feel involved with the university and with current students,” Crum said. “There are so many benefits to giving back to Marshall, not only as donors of money, but donors of time and energy as well.”

The alumni association puts on several events throughout the year, and different alumni clubs around the country participate.

Crum said the Marshall Foundation and the alumni association wanted to encourage other alumni to become active and service-minded in their communities, and the foundation and alumni association decided to start the trend “at home.”

“Being an alum is more than just donating money to your university,” Crum said. “It’s about being a positive representative in the community and giving back to the community.”

The alumni association is encouraging volunteers to help them “put a face on homelessness.” Several organizations have helped with Herd for the Homeless, including Woodmen Life, Marshall Health and Barboursville Rotary Club.

Also according to the press release, winter items that are not distributed the day of the event will be sent to partnering agencies like the Huntington City Mission, Harmony House and the Facing Hunger Foodbank.

For a list of drop-off locations for donations, visit the “Herd for the Homeless” event’s Facebook page.

Brooke Estep can be contacted at [email protected].