Hunger has perpetually plagued the world. Every day, 24,000 people die of hunger worldwide.

In order to raise awareness about this global problem, the Bennion Community Service Center hosted a hunger banquet Tuesday night in the Union Saltair Room. The cost was two cans of food, which were donated to the Utah Food Bank. About 150 people attended.

“I hope this event teaches people they can make a difference, that they are part of the answer,” said Tara Adjamine, homelessness issues coordinator at the Bennion Center.

Bennion Center staff members handed out colored pieces of paper describing a wide variety of socio-economic circumstances. People with red tickets sat on the floor, blue tickets sat in hard, plastic chairs and green tickets allowed people to sit at a decked-out table.

Linda Hilton of the Crossroads Urban Center addressed those in attendance.

“Hunger, homelessness and poverty are problems that are always there. They don’t go away with time,” she said.

The contents of the banquet came as a surprise to many who attended?55 percent of the attendees received rice, 30 percent of them received rice and beans, while only 15 percent received Thanksgiving style meals.

“This is the way it is in real life. When among the poor, that’s when it hurts,” said Payam Foroughi from a turkey laden table.

Chris Kidder was a red-ticket holder.

“I think it’s sort of depressing,” he said, carrying a bowl of rice. “But it’s also been very humbling.”