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Raleigh Homeless Activist to Speak to William Peace University Students about Food Insecurity

Media Invited to Hear A Place at the Table Owner Maggie Kane

Raleigh, NC (08/31/2022) — RALEIGH, N.C. - A downtown restaurant owner known for her work providing options for those who may not always be able to pay for a meal out with others, will speak to students at William Peace University (WPU) next week.

Maggie Kane, executive director of A Place at the Table, will share insights from her work at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6, at WPU, 15 E. Peace St. Raleigh.

First-year students at WPU are examining food insecurity and hunger as part of their First Year Seminar Class. All new students at WPU take the class, which combines college preparation and introduction to WPU through service learning.

Activities each year vary. In August, students packaged about 14,000 meals for Rise Against Hunger, a growing global movement to end hunger by empowering communities, nourishing lives, and responding to emergencies.

A Place at the Table is Raleigh's first pay-what-you-can nonprofit cafe, which has fed thousands of people since opening on Hargett Street in 2018. Kane and her team hope to bring dignity to dining for those who don't always have a guaranteed meal. Since opening, Kane has built a community around the work of helping Raleigh residents.

That community building, leadership, and most of all, caring are part of what she will share during her talk, said Dawn Dillon, WPU's director of First Year Experience.

"Maggie's story is a powerful one, and she became inspired to do the work she is doing while in college," Dillon said. "We hope our students can see that sparks for your life's passion can start while at WPU. Then they will learn and hone the skills to be able to follow that passion into meaningful work when they graduate and beyond."

Later in the semester, WPU's First Year Seminar students will complete a research assignment about food insecurity followed by a one-time service experience with the Food Bank of Eastern and Central NC, Raleigh City Farm, or other local agencies battling food insecurity. Dillon said their final reflection paper for the class will reflect on the entire experience and what they have learned.

Media are invited to attend the Sept. 6 event. Please contact Jennifer Suarez to coordinate.

About WPU

Founded in 1857, William Peace University is a regionally ranked institution in Raleigh, NC - one of U.S News' Best Places to Live - serving more than 800 students in 30+ undergraduate and 10 professional programs in criminal justice, education, business administration, and more. The university focuses on an immersive curriculum and innovative teaching methods to ensure students graduate career-ready and prepared to thrive in the organizations of today and tomorrow. Nestled in the heart of Raleigh's downtown area, the university's culture is as vibrant as the surrounding city; our students benefit from all the connections and collaboration our central location offers. Learn more at peace.edu.

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