UCO Students Live Homeless for Week to Raise Awareness

By Rusty Surette, NEWS 9

EDMOND, Oklahoma – More than 100 students in Edmond are planning to live life as a homeless person this week to bring awareness to a growing problem in communities across the country.

The University of Central Oklahoma is holding the school's annual "Shack-a-thon," a chance for students to show others what it's like to live on the streets.

Teams build the so-called shacks they'll be living in for the next five days. During the week, students will beg for change. All the money raised goes toward a scholarship fund.

“I have no idea what to expect. I don't know what the weather is going to be like. I heard it was going to rain, so hopefully the cardboard holds up,” said UCO student Tori Landsaw.

Also, students are planning to fast for 24 hours beginning Monday at noon. It's called "Fast for Poverty," another chance to raise awareness.

Last year, Shack-a-thon teams raised more than $2,000 dollars.