Benefit raises money to help Pop-Up Pantry help students

There’s a can opener in the gift bags for Monday’s Pop-Up Benefit: A Call to Action.

That’s because the fundraising event, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Illinois Room of Student Center East, benefits the Pop-Up Pantry, which provides food to UIC students in need.

“This benefit will educate people on what is homelessness, how it looks and how do you define it,” said Brandon Gaskew, co-founder and co-director of the Pop-Up Pantry, vice president of the Undergraduate Student Government and a senior in political science. The idea for the benefit started with Gaskew and pharmacy student Myron Laban.

Laban’s group Men of Dance will put on a performance at the benefit that includes singing, rap, dance and spoken word. The event includes a silent auction and a showcase of art made by UIC students on the subject of homelessness.

“Regardless of who you are, you deserve fundamental needs of life,” Laban said. “Everyone’s entitled to food, shelter and sleep.”

Tickets, $5 for students and $10 for others, can be purchased at the UIC Bookstore. Those who can’t afford tickets can bring canned goods to the event for the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

“Homelessness is a large issue,” Gaskew said. “We should help out city-wide.”

The next Pop-Up Pantry events will be April 16 and 23, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in 604A Student Center East. Current i-card is required.