This week, schools and communities throughout the nation are bringing greater awareness to the problems of hunger and homelessness as part of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, which is sponsored by the National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness every year, the week before Thanksgiving.

St. Joseph’s College in Standish is presenting “Cast Off,” a play performed by past and present members of Portland’s homeless community about life on the street, at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Viola George Auditorium.