Local Teens Fast to Prevent Starvation

Nearly 8,000 children under the age of five die every day because of hunger-related causes—that's one child every 10 seconds. Norwalk teens are not okay with this, and on Saturday, February 23–Sunday, February 24, they’re doing something about it.For the 10th consecutive year, St. Philip Roman Catholic Church in Norwalk will be participating in World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine. The theme for this year’s program is “The Power of Ten,” which celebrates the 10 years that St. Philip Church has hosted nearly 1,000 middle- and high-school students, from local schools and religious communities in Fairfield County, who have raised over $175,000 to fight hunger, both globally and locally.“The teens will fast for the 30 hours while performing service in the community and participating in prayer and other activities to bring awareness of the stark reality of hunger around the world while, in fact, there is enough food to provide every person in the world with at least 2,720 calories a day,” said Kali DiMarco, Director of Faith Formation, St. Philip Church. “No one needs to starve.”Teens who participate will fast to raise money and awareness for the thousands of people who die every day from hunger and hunger-related illnesses. During the 30 hours, the teens will participate in community-service projects, consciousness-raising activities, musical programs, and prayer during a 10 p.m. prayer vigil. On Sunday morning, they will break their fast with the Eucharist at the 10 a.m. Mass, followed by a breakfast in the St. Philip School hall.The fast begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, February 23 when the participants and members of the community gather at the Norwalk Green for "The Walk," a mile-long parade through city streets to the church to honor the Night Walkers of Uganda—children who must travel on foot from their villages to protected shelters to be safe from rebels who abduct children for use as soldiers, porters, and sexual slaves.The public at large is invited to the church at 10 a.m. to hear the inspirational keynote speech by Julie Coyne. Julie is a Norwalk native and member of St. Jerome Parish who traveled to Guatemala and was so moved by the plight of the poor and hungry that she started Education and Hope, a nonprofit organization founded on the belief that education is a fundamental human right, and that all of the world’s children deserve to be educated. Julie will share her experiences with the teen participants, through stories and pictures illustrating the ability of young people to change the world.The teens’ fasting and fundraising will benefit World Vision, an international relief organization that serves the world's poorest children, and Manna House, Norwalk's soup kitchen.Parishioners, and the public at large, are asked to donate canned and packaged food for distribution locally. Food may be dropped off at St. Philip Church. A van will be parked outside the church.Anyone wishing to donate to the Famine should go to www.stphilipnorwalk.org. On the left side of the page, you will see "30 Hour Famine 2013." Please click on the link “Donate Now to the Famine.” Donations are also welcome at the church doors before and after the 8 a.m., 10 a.m., and noon Masses on Sunday, February 24.