Why I’m Fasting This Wednesday
Posted by Billy Shore on Monday, April 4, 2011
Here on the blog last week, Mike McKenna shared that hunger leaders were organizing a hunger fast to protest proposed budget cuts to nutrition and other social and human services. David Beckmann from Bread for the World and Tony Hall from the Alliance to End Hunger have been leading the fast, and many, including* The New York Times* columnist Mark Bittman, have joined.
Later this week, Vicki Escarra at Feeding America and I will announce that we will join the fast and encourage our network of supporters to do the same on a rolling basis. Many of our staff at Share Our Strength are also participating.
Consider that of the 47 million Americans who live below the poverty line, 19 million live in extreme poverty. That’s $7,500 a year for a family of three or $11,500 a year for a family of four. It is hard to imagine a more dire set of circumstances, and a more compelling reason for bold action. If you are interested in joining us, it would add powerfully to the voices being raised on behalf of those most voiceless.
Fasting is a personal decision, but the real power of a fast is that it brings urgency to an issue that is often overlooked. Whether you choose to fast or to spread the word to friends and colleagues, write elected officials or local media to tell them we are participating in this effort, we can stand together to say we can do better for America’s children.
April 4, 2011 | 53 comment(s) | Tags: congress, no kid hungry
Comments
53 reader comments so far.
I'll join you!
Posted by Courtney Velasquez on April 5, 2011
I am in!
Posted by Michael Ellis on April 5, 2011
I will be happy to fast for the children. It's the least that I can do.
Posted by lisa on April 5, 2011
I am in!
Posted by Michael Ellis on April 5, 2011
I will do ANYTHING, to start getting the attention of those in power. They obviously need something to shake them out of their coma. Our greatest asset are our children!
Posted by Vanessa Goldeen on April 5, 2011
I WILL DO THE FAST I WILL DO ANYTHING I CAN TO HELP LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN DO .
Posted by sue easton on April 5, 2011
They have some nerve! I don't see any of them hungry. We are behind you 110%.
Posted by Terry c/o P.O.S.Y. Min. Outreach Cnt on April 5, 2011
I AM IN
Posted by sue easton on April 5, 2011
I joined Tony Hall and others of HungerFast.org to fast in protest of the budget cuts. I found out today that that movement has grown to more than 30,000 people.
My personal fast is that I am trying to live a normal life and do the things I need to do on only $2 of food a day, and about 600 calories. Yesterday was my first full day, I ate only about 600 calories, and spent only $1.60. I have sent emails to all my senators and representatives and even the President about my fast.
I hope to go on this way all week until Sunday, when my Church fasts as a group. I do not know if I will be able to make it the whole week, but I'm going to try, and I'm going to email my senators and representatives every day that I fast.
I am also donating the cost of the food I would normally be eating to my local food bank to assist those in need.
Posted by Kathleen Hardy on April 5, 2011
I'm in! I also particiapte in the Great American Bake Sale every year, so I am always willing to help in other ways. This is a no-brainer.
Posted by Jess D on April 5, 2011
All in!
Posted by Carmen C. on April 5, 2011
I will participate in this fast tomorrow. It's the least I can do.
Posted by Carol Whitney on April 5, 2011
I will participate in this fast tomorrow. It's the least I can do.
Posted by Shannie Russell on April 5, 2011
of course !
Posted by allison on April 5, 2011
you can count on me!
Posted by anthony p on April 5, 2011
Please count on me, if "we" have millions, even billions to participate in wars, why we should not have enough money to feed our children, blessings, Ana.
Posted by Ana Villalobos on April 5, 2011
i will join this cause as well !
Posted by diogenin matos on April 5, 2011
I am in. This is outrageous. What is going on in these peoples minds?!
Posted by Izzy Turk on April 5, 2011
I am fasting in support.
Posted by Sharon Morgan on April 5, 2011
I will join and spread the word. fasting on Wednesday for support. Come on People; if you are out there. lets support.....
Posted by Jessica Ramirez on April 5, 2011
I'm in, but if the budget makers aren't concerned about our children who are hungry each and every day, I can't imagine that my missing a day of food will touch them. Thanks for leading the effort!
Posted by Karen Bovie on April 5, 2011
I will join. I know how it feels. When growing up I had no food for several days. The government needs to go hungry for several days.
Posted by Kelly on April 5, 2011
I am sending this email to my congressman and representative stating opposition to any proposed budget that adversely affects our children.
Posted by Mary O'Donnell on April 5, 2011
I'm in -- just wish it would help.
Posted by Phyllis on April 5, 2011
This is not about religion, its humanity. Again I join the fast with renewed vigor. Back in the early 1970's my high school joined the fast for hunger in Biafra. Now that it is here persistently in my work zip code 75208 and 75211 the poorest in Dallas County, Texas. Not Bangladesh, Indo China nor central or south America but here where I work.
Posted by Paul Sawyer on April 5, 2011
this is an outrage! i join you with gratitude to you for all of your efforts.
Posted by eliza daniels on April 5, 2011
i'm a Bread for the World member and an advocate with Food Lifeline, a local distribution center tied to Feeding America. i've learned that if children under 5 don't receive suffiencient nutriction, the nutrition they do receive goes to other organs before the brain, and the brain never recovers. so many grade school children are left to their own devices when it comes to breakfast, dinner, and subsidized lunches is their main course of the day. we cannot lose a generation of low-income children to neglect. let's do whatever part we can, large or small, for these children. i'm in on the fast, and the advocacy.
Posted by sammi fredenburg on April 5, 2011
Something got to be done, do our part for future generations to live right, to eat right, make better world than it is....
Posted by Susie Lubiscak on April 5, 2011
What a way to make a statement... I am joining the fast and forwarded the email to about a dozen people from my address book!
Posted by Kelly Mathieu on April 5, 2011
I just sent emails to my senators and representative! Why is it that people go hungry exactly? Perplexing...
Posted by Kelly Mathieu on April 5, 2011
Joined!
Posted by Jessyca on April 5, 2011
I'm in as well! Hungry children affects all of us
Posted by Vernessa on April 5, 2011
Count me in!!! As a farmer, I regularly donate meat to the food pantry in my community, in addition to food staples that I purchase from the grocery store. We've noticed that the food pantries in our area are especially needy during the summer months when school lets out and the free/reduced price school lunch program is not available. Our community has gathered a group of churches & organizations who are concerned & willing to help supplement the food pantry during the summer school vacation- not just during the winter months. Private citizens ARE concerned! OUR CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE!
Posted by Cheryl Matulevich on April 5, 2011
I am totally in!!~~~
Posted by Crystal on April 5, 2011
I will join. I am a high school student, and though my family always has enough food, I know several students who don't always have enough. If we work together as a nation, and forget about our differences, we can help solve hunger for all. There is so much to do, so we all must do our share.
Posted by Matthew Morse on April 5, 2011
I've been wondering what I could do for this cause, if it helps gain public attention I'd go for a week, count me in in solidarity for
wednesday I will not eat
in protest of the budget cuts that will effect our children.
Posted by Mike B on April 5, 2011
FAST AND PRAY! Pray that our government leaders can get this out of control budget under control before this entire system collapses, and we are all going hungry and not just the children.
Posted by patsimonik on April 5, 2011
I'm DEFINITELY in on the fast Tomorrow! Thank You Bill Shore, Share Our Strength, and All the Other Extraordinary People who've commented here and others who are supporting the #NoKidHungry Campaign!
Posted by Jessica Smith on April 5, 2011
I will fast tomorrow. Thank you to Share Our Strength for initiating this fast, and for all the caring individuals joining this fast. I will be calling my elected officials tomorrow to let them know what we are doing and why. We can make a difference!
Posted by Susan Imker on April 5, 2011
I'm In !!
Posted by Joan Peterson-Winn on April 5, 2011
Great to see so much enthusiasm for the fast among my wonderful colleagues at SOS and their supporters. We at Feeding America are getting ready to start our fast tomorrow too and hope those of you who can't fast tomorrow will pledge another day in April to help us keep the rolling fast going. Many thanks to the Alliance and Bread for the World for organizing and inspiring us.
Posted by Sophie on April 6, 2011
In the world today to think of a child not having enough to eat is truely hatefull, and we should fight this or live with the shame !
Posted by George Berry on April 6, 2011
I'm in!
Posted by Chef Tim on April 6, 2011
Each & every American child is precious, let us remember OUR Country and respect the degnity our children deserve. How can we help other Countries while American Kids need the help & attention in this time of cuts. Let the Government cut their saleries before cutting anything our precious Children deserve. Every American person should stand tall on this issue. Time to speak up & let your voice be heard.
Posted by CeCe on April 6, 2011
I'm in 100%
Posted by Paige Wallace on April 6, 2011
I will join you
Posted by Valerie Simon on April 6, 2011
I'm in, I started fasting this Monday.
Posted by Marion Siegel on April 6, 2011
I fasted on Wednesday in support of your fast, and posted it on my facebook, but wish there could have been some coverage in the media
Posted by Mike B on April 7, 2011
The USA is the most wealthiest nation in the world. Yet, we still have poverty and hungry in our communities. The American people should demand that we should take care of our people for a stronger national unity.
Posted by Alvin Rivera on April 9, 2011
Bread for our children is all in!!
Posted by myesha on April 10, 2011
i have dedicated my life to this. i have a nonprofit, and plan on feeding kids this summer and through the school year.. please join us in stopping this.
Posted by myesha mayes on April 10, 2011
I'm dedicating myself to raising awareness of the problems in this country that could be solved if our govt wasn't giving away all our money to "black holes" overseas. So shameful that we neglect Americans and their plights on a daily basis. Americans do not have to live like this if only our govt would heal America first then look after the rest of the world.
Posted by MSgt Steven Westerfield USMC (Ret) on April 12, 2011
Your fast made a huge difference in my life. I fasted for three days and I blogged about it. I am trying to get personally involved in this fight and I appreciate all the ways you have of allowing me to do that. God blessnyou!
Posted by Cathy Dove on April 26, 2011
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