Although the minds of Brandeisians are usually overwhelmed with demands, such as deciphering the intricate sonnets of Shakespeare, memorizing the structures of amino acids or understanding the multifaceted relations between warring nations, it is important to put the books down and recognize the real-world demands that overwhelm those who neighbor our 235-acre campus.

Hunger and Homelessness facilitates students’ ability to help lessen such burdensome demands. Hunger and Homelessness, part of Waltham Group, is running their 25th annual Halloween for the Hungry Food Drive. To run the drive successfully, which collected 2,500 items of nonperishable food last year, volunteers are needed to assist in trick-or-treating for these nonperishable food items.

Hunger and Homelessness co-coordinator Liz Stoker ’13 said, “the need for food in local shelters is greater than ever” due to a recent cut in state funding for food stamps. Stockpiles of food are running dangerously low “especially with winter ahead,” Stoker said.

Look out for the coordinators and members of Hunger and Homelessness, who will be tabling in Usdan and outside Sherman during the weeks leading up to Halloween. Alternatively, an e-mail indicating interest in volunteering can be sent to Tina Zhang at xiaoyaaa@brandeis.edu or Caroline Ahn at cahn@brandeis.edu. As for the actual drive, volunteers can expect to be trick-or-treating from 4:30 to 8 p.m. on Halloween night. The drive is sure to be a fun experience and all food collected will greatly benefit Waltham residents in need.