Fast for thought: Students give up food to raise money for and awareness of world hunger

Seven teens at Jackson Junior High School stopped eating at 7 a.m. Thursday. They only drank water or juice when they felt hungry and they plan on fasting until 1 p.m. today.

Micayla Gray convinced her friends to join her in the 30-hour fast to raise money for and awareness of world hunger. She said she got the idea last year when she found a brochure from World Vision at her church. The money they raise will be sent to World Vision, which helps people sponsor children in impoverished countries.

"Once the hunger pains start they last about an hour and then they just go away. Then it's like this empty numbness," said Micayla, 14, who organized a 30-hour fast in 2008 as well.

"It's pretty crazy when you think those children are dying and we can make a difference," she said.

Care, a humanitarian effort with solving hunger as one of its main goals, reports that each year six million children younger than 5 die as a result of hunger. According to its website, World Vision can support one child for one day with a $1 donation.

The group of teens collected money at school, church and from family members. Their goal was $750.

"We have much exceeded that goal," 15-year-old Olivia Jaco said.

The group has raised more than $800 in its fundraising over the past two weeks. Jaco didn't participate in 2008, but she was friends with Micayla and knew about the effort.

"I just decided that I wanted to do it," Olivia said. She was hoping her breakfast -- apple cinnamon Cheerios and biscuits and gravy -- would carry her through the fast.

Shelby Fedler's last meal was two muffins, bacon and a spoonful of peanut butter Thursday morning. Fedler, 14, participated last year as well and wore her World Vision T-shirt to school this year.

"I always like to do charity stuff," Shelby said. "It just makes me feel better to know that I'm helping people."

She said the fast made her realize how easy it is to take things for granted.

"I have three meals and snacks every day," she said. She and the other girls admitted that talking about food made them a little hungry, but they didn't feel too bad.

"It's really not that hard to give something up when it's for such a good cause," Micayla said.

The girls will ride the bus to Zion United Methodist Church in Gordonville to spend the night together. They plan to eat apples, carrots and sandwiches for their 1 p.m. feast.

The three girls were joined in their hungry task by Ethan Scheffer, Jamison Moore, McKenzie Bradshaw and Ashley Stalhman.

charris@semissourian.com

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