Understanding the impacts of poverty and hunger in the region, and ways they can be combated, will be the subjects of a weeklong program by Longwood University’s Citizen Leadership & Social Justice department.

The program, beginning Monday and ending Friday, will start Monday, 6 p.m. at the Upchurch University Center Ballroom with a panel discussion of what hunger and poverty looks like in Virginia.

Panelists include Alanna Rivera with the Farmville Area Habitat for Humanity, Roma Harris with Prince Edward County Social Services, Del. Jeff Bourne on the 71st district of the Virginia House of Representatives, Pauline Stokes with the Virginia Cooperative Extension, Dr. Jamaal Johnston with the Southside Community Development Alliance (SCDA) and Doug Pick, CEO of FeedMore.

Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., representatives will table at Brock Commons on Longwood’s campus for a food drive hosted by the student program Brothers and Sisters in Christ (B.A.S.I.C.). Proceeds from the drive will be donated to FACES Food Pantry.

On Wednesday, participants can join in an “Eat and Greet” program at the Longwood dining hall annex. The meeting will be held in area organizations that fight poverty and hunger.

Thursday will see a poverty simulation, which will be conducted by Karen Tanner with the Virginia Cooperative Extension and held at the Robert Russa Moton Museum from 4:30-6 p.m.

On Friday, there will be a night-long cardboard city homeless experience held at Stubbs Lawn from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

On Saturday, participants can experience what it is like to work with Farmville Area Habitat for Humanity by taking an immersion trip through the Service with a Group (SWAG) program.

Sunday will see the Empty Bowls event, which will be held at the Moton Museum from 4-6 p.m.

According to an event description, “Empty Bowls is an international, grassroots, crafts-based effort to end hunger.”

Participants can purchase a designed bowl crafted by the Longwood University Ceramics Department, a serving of soup donated by Uptown Cafe, one19, and the Fishin’ Pig, beverages from Chick-Fil-A and fellowship.

Proceeds will go toward the Virginia Cooperative Extension, which serves to eliminate hunger in the Prince Edward County area with the school backpack program, a community garden and food education.

To learn more about the event or to register for the poverty simulation or cardboard challenge, contact Assistant Director of Community Learning & Engagement Quincy Goodine at goodineqa@longwood.edu.