Congressman Jim McGovern will be on hand to launch the public lecture series “Food for Thought.” McGovern will deliver an address, “Responding to the Hunger Challenge: In Our Community, Our Country, Our World” at 2:00 p.m., on Wednesday, September 12, in the Student Center North/South Auditorium. The series, sponsored by the  Intergenerational Urban Institute and the Urban Studies Department  at Worcester State College is in celebration of  Worcester County Food Bank’s 25^th Anniversary.

 McGovern, currently serving his sixth term in Congress, has emerged as a leading advocate for ending hunger and poverty.  He was the principal author of the George McGovern-Bob Dole International Food for Education Initiative.  He serves as Co-Chair of the House Hunger Caucus and Co-Chair of the Congressional Hunger Center. This summer Jim and his wife took the food stamp challenge - living for a week on $3 per day (the average food stamp allotment).

 The public forums will highlight successful strategies from around the world in combating hunger.  These forums will offer an opportunity for students and the community to participate in discussions with key leaders and spokespeople about the contradictions and the seeds of hope.

 Upcoming free public forums include:

 The Local Economy and Food Sources, Feeding Our Communities: The Role of Community Gardens, Farmers Markets and Agricultural Tourism on Wednesday, September 19 at 2:00 p.m. at Brigham Hill Community Farm, 37 Wheeler Road, North Grafton, MA.

 Responding to the Global Need for Drinkable Water: the Filter Solution on Wednesday, September 26 at 2:00 p.m., Student Center, Blue Lounge. Worcester State College, 486 Chandler Street, Worcester.

 Inside and Outside the Lunch Box: Feeding Kids, Policies, Programs, Possibilities and PR on Wednesday, October 10 at 2:00 p.m., Student Center, Blue Lounge. Worcester State College, 486 Chandler Street, Worcester.