Wartburg College will celebrate St. Elizabeth Week — an observance devoted to community activism and service — Nov. 11–18.

St. Elizabeth Week will promote the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Malaria Campaign through the Wartburg Malaria Initiative, which focuses on education, service and fundraising efforts to eradicate malaria.

Other projects during the week will be directed at alleviating hunger and homelessness.

Wartburg considers St. Elizabeth the college’s first social worker due to her relationship with the Wartburg Castle. Born in 1207, Elizabeth married the landgrave of the Wartburg Castle, developed a hospital near the castle and fed up to 900 of the poor daily. After her death in 1231, Pope Gregory IX proclaimed her a saint.

The St. Elizabeth celebration will begin with the CROP Hunger Walk — hosted by the student group Manna — Sunday, Nov. 11, 1-3 p.m.  A donation of $1 is suggested to reach Manna’s goal of $1,000.  Registration will take place at the W at 1 p.m.

Manna’s efforts also will include the “No Shower Campaign” with individuals abstaining from showers until they have reached personal fundraising goals. The event begins Monday.

Students also are promoting a 30-hour fast from Wednesday at 12:15 p.m. until Thursday at 6:15 p.m., with an “interactive and educational” Thanksgiving feast to follow.

Other St. Elizabeth Week activities include:

• The “Spare Change” competition with the residence hall collecting the most money by the end of the week receiving the St. Elizabeth’s Residence Hall trophy. Funds will be donated to the malaria campaign and the Cedar Valley Hospitality House.
• The “Voices of the Issues” panel with representatives from Cedar Valley Friends of the Family, Hospitality House and the Northeast Iowa Food Bank speaking about hunger, homelessness and malaria Monday, 7:30 p.m., Wartburg Chapel.
• “Stop and Serve,” a walk-in service opportunity to make a “malaria jar” or a “mosquito corsage” to raise money for the Wartburg Malaria Initiative, Tuesday and Thursday, 11 a.m.- 1 p.m., McCoy West. 
• The Famine Feast Hunger Banquet hosted by Manna will raise awareness about hunger in the U.S. and abroad by participating in an interactive and educational dinner experience, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., in Chapel Commons. 
• Presentation of the St. Elizabeth Award for Service and the Pastor Larry Trachte Award Wednesday in the chapel. The St. Elizabeth Award is given to three individuals who exemplify a commitment to service. The Pastor Larry Trachte Award is given to two faculty or staff members who embody his “enthusiasm, support, enthusiasm, dedication and overall commitment to Wartburg’s mission of service.” 
• “Rock Away Hunger” hosted by Cedar Valley Friends of the Family at The Fainting Goat Thursday, 5-10 p.m., with a live band, 7-10 p.m.
• A Dueling Pianos and Canned Food Drive event presented by Entertainment ToKnight, Friday, 7 p.m. 
• A service day hosted by Manna, Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-noon, at the Northeast Iowa Food Bank. Students are needed to sort and package food. 
• A live music event hosted by Students for Peace and Justice supporting the malaria campaign Saturday, 7-10 p.m., in Cardinal Commons. 

St. Elizabeth Week celebrations will conclude with a worship service Sunday, 10:30 a.m., in the chapel. The St. Elizabeth Chorale will provide music.