On March 1, local high school students will give up their warm beds and evening snacks to spend the night on the floor of a “homeless shelter.” They’ll stand in line to eat at a “soup kitchen,” and visit booths where they will try to get needed services, from medical help to drug counseling to kids’ clothes.

The unique event, called CAMP-IN, is designed to let students experience what life is like for many local families who are struggling with homelessness and hunger. With the explosion in the number of homeless families with children, many teenagers have classmates who are homeless, whether they are aware of the fact or not.

“We want them to really understand, first-hand, how hard it is for some of their friends and classmates who don’t have a stable home, or don’t know where their next meal is coming from,” said Sharon Paskewitz, Director of Housing and Transitional Services for VOAWW. “And we also want them to be able to do something about it. By raising funds for programs that help local families, the students will know that they are having a real impact in their community.”

Students who participate will be getting pledges to help provide funding for people who are homeless and hungry.

All of the funds raised will support Volunteers of America Western Washington (VOAWW)’s services to local families in need. VOAWW is one of the largest social service providers in the area. Among their services are four food banks, over 30 units of transitional housing, ECEAP preschools for low-income kids, a mentoring program, a crisis line, and more.

For more information or to register, visit campinvoaww.tumblr.com.

Volunteers of America Western Washington (VOAWW) serves a six-county region, providing  food, housing, and support services for people wherever they are struggling along the continuum of life – from families and children to seniors and people with developmental disabilities.

Each year, VOAWW responds to 350,000 requests for assistance. For more information, visit www.voaww.org.