Caleen Kennedy went to Gingerbread Land and helped clean up the facilities and grounds during last year's Hunger Clean-Up.

This year, Kennedy, a College of Communication junior, is a co-chair of Hunger Clean-Up's Public Relations Committee. She said the best part of Hunger Clean-Up is the experience gained from volunteering.

"It's a fulfilling feeling," she said. "The best part has been getting to learn more about others and, therefore, learning more about myself."

The annual community service event, held in the spring, is expected to raise about $20,000 with about 2,000 volunteers, according to Lauren Smith, who is a member of the public relations committee.

This year's Hunger Clean-Up will be held April 22. Volunteers sign-up to a team and are asked to seek monetary pledges for the service they will perform, said Smith, a sophomore in the College of Arts & Sciences.

Sample the Soups, an annual fundraiser for the event, will be held today in the Alumni Memorial Union Ballrooms from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to David Borgealt, assistant dean for Community Service Programs.

For a $5 donation, people can have soup and a donated, homemade, ceramic bowl made by area high school students and students with developmental disabilities, Borgealt said. Soups are provided by Campus Kitchens and 200 people are expected to "pass through."

Hunger Clean-Up, combines community service, awareness and fundraising, Smith said.

"It's a really great way for Marquette to get involved in the community," she said.

Some of the money raised — approximately $9,000 — will go toward the program's operating fees, Smith said.

The remaining funds benefit three agencies chosen to receive grants from Hunger Clean-Up. About 20 local non-profit organizations applied for the grants this year, Borgealt said.

This is the 17th year for Hunger Clean-Up. In 1994, the fundraiser broke away from the national organization of the same name to keep all of the money raised in the local community. The national organization required about 70 percent of money raised.

There are three main dimensions to Hunger Clean-Up, Borgealt said. They include a day of service, fundraising and education about hunger and homelessness in Milwaukee.

On April 22, volunteers will be sent around Milwaukee in various programs. Wednesday was the deadline for sites to ask for volunteers. Sites included meal programs, planting 400 trees along the Milwaukee River, neighborhood cleanups and building the garden at Mount Carmel nursing home.

There are about 60 student volunteers on the planning team, Borgealt said.

Application packets are now available for team leaders at the Office of Student Development, Borgealt said, and will be on the Student Development Web site soon.

There will also be information tables throughout residence halls the weeks before and after spring break, he said. Applications are due by March 27.