A group of students from Ecole Real Berard in St-Pierre caught a glimpse of what it's like to be homeless Thursday night as they slept outside in cardboard boxes.

High school student council president Maxine Chartier says about 13 students from the high school participated and she explains why they put on this event.

"We're doing a homeless night to raise awareness for poverty in Manitoba, we're also collecting food items for the Grunthal Food Bank which is our district for St- Pierre and St-Malo."

Chartier adds they had made a fire to keep warm but students were not allowed to bring a sleeping bag so they had to bundle up for the night.

School Principal Patrice Harvey notes it's an eye-opening experience for the students as they catch a small glimpse of what it's like to be homeless.

"Small activities like that for the kids can have a big impact in their life because with that, yesterday they slept outside at school they feel the cold they feel a night without a good sleep and today they are tired. They know a little bit more about the reality of people here in Manitoba and Winnipeg."

Harvey adds the students in their school are very proactive when it comes to raising awareness for social justice and world issues.