Fasting for a purpose

By Tony Staley
Compass Editor

Last week, The Compass had a front page story about a challenge from a 25-year-old Boise, Idaho, Catholic.

Rich Halvorson wants 10 million Americans to fast with him Ash Wednesday, Feb. 21, and then donate the money they saved on food to one of 15 faith-based charities who spend at least 75% of their funds on the mission of their charities.

Halvorson told Catholic News Service that he believes donations to his Global Fast '07 could reach $50 million. In addition, the charities said they will match these donated funds to accomplish specific projects.

What sort of projects might be done? Food for the Poor, based in Deerfield, Fla., told Halvorson about people in Haiti living in a trash dump. "We're willing to do whatever it takes to get them off of that trash dump and into some kind of livable housing," Food for the Poor representatives said.

For Global Fast '07 to succeed, Halvorson said, it will take committed volunteers at "the workplace, high school, junior high, sports teams" who are willing to "take a sign-up sheet around."

Halvorson has taken the first steps. Now it's up to us. For more on Global Fast '07 go to his website, www.gf07.com.