Area youth and mentors will erect a cardboard city in the heart of Albert Lea on Friday to bring awareness of homelessness and hunger. Recent unemployment and the downturn of the nation have prompted area youth pastors to organize this effort.

Morin Park will be the gathering area.

The Salvation Army launched a hunger and homeless awareness campaign nationwide. The effort targets the things that have become normal and have called this program, “Ignore No More.”

The schedule of events on Friday are as follows:

6 to 6:45 p.m.: Registration at Morin Park

 6:45 to 7 p.m.: Welcome and announcements

7 to 8 p.m.: Dinner at the Salvation Army

 8 to 9 p.m.: The building of the city

 9 to 10 p.m.: Evening program

 10 p.m. to midnight: Fellowship

At the 9 p.m. program, Steve Erickson from the Twin Cities will come and speak to the youth about overcoming homelessness. Erickson is a survivor of homelessness induced by drugs and alcohol abuse.

The community is asked to bring nonperishable food items for food pantries.

The Salvation Army truck will be at Morin Park to gather these gifts.

The food pantries have seen a never-before increase in the services provided to people of Freeborn County.

The local organizers of this year’s event are First Presbyterian Church, Salem Lutheran Church, The Rock, Grace Christian Church and The Salvation Army Citadel.