Events to provide information for Poverty Awareness Week

Greencastle Mayor Sue Murray signed a proclamation declaring Sept. 21-28 as Poverty Awareness Week. She was joined by events coordinator Erin Sprinkle (sitting, left), head of Transformers Linda Hunter (sitting, right), Putnam County Community Foundation Community Development Director Dean Gambill (standing from left), DePauw research team member Courtney Morgan, DePauw assistant professor Rebecca Alexander, DePauw student Yating Yang, DePauw student Kirsten Haulk, DePauw student Kazuki Hanado and Putnam County Community Coalition coordinator Judi Purvis. (Banner Graphic/Sabrina Westfall)

Greencastle Mayor Sue Murray signed a proclamation designating Sept. 21-25 Poverty Awareness Week in Putnam County.

Putnam County Poverty Awareness Week is sponsored by the Transformers Program and will feature educational events throughout the week, including the organization's fourth annual poverty education seminar featuring Cascade Engineering Director of Talent Management David Barrett. The seminar will be hosted Thursday at the Prindle Institute for Ethics from 8:30-11:30 a.m.

Putnam County Community Coalition Director and Transformers member Judi Purvis said while the education seminar is hosted each year, she credits Erin Sprinkle with expanding the focus on poverty through several events.

A free showing of "NeverEnding Story" will be shown at 6 p.m. Friday at DePauw's Bowman Park, with informational booths as well as cotton candy, popcorn and goodies. A free concert will be presented Saturday from 5-8 p.m. at Robe-Ann Park, featuring DePops Orchestra, Parker Black, Rockology and John Bean. Dinner will be available for $5, with information booths and giveaways.

"We want to get awareness out there. There are organizations to help people," Sprinkle stressed.

She explained the weekend events are focused on bringing the community together, with several organizations providing information about how to seek help if needed.

In addition, Sprinkle said there will be 32 gift items available between the two events.

"Events like this are among the philosophies of Transformers," Purvis added.

"Everyone needs to be able to live well in order to have a sustainable community and be sustainable for generations to come."

Purvis stressed when it comes to helping the under-resourced members of the community, it is important to not have an "us vs. them" mentality.