There are approximately one billion starving people in the world.
Starvation does not just affect third world countries, it impacts many Americans as well. Almost 16,000 children die from hunger-related causes every day, according to www.bread.org.
The world hunger issue has ignited a response at college campuses, and a few organizations at San Diego State are taking action to help.
The Muslim Student Association, along with other organizations such as the Jewish Student Union, are hosting an event called Fast-a-Thon: Students in Solidarity for Hunger Relief.
“We really want to bring awareness to the issue of hunger,” MSA President Kamilah Albahri said. “As college students, most of us don’t take the time to be aware of issues going on in the world. Hopefully, through this event students will be able to taste what people in other countries feel on a daily basis.”
The Fast-a-Thon will take place tomorrow. It is free for SDSU students to sign up, and it is $5 for non-SDSU students. Those who register are encouraged to fast from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Right before the fast ends, there will be an event at 5:30 p.m. in Montezuma Hall.
Artists such as Sunset Clefs, Rudy Francisco and Taili will perform. A free meal will also be provided as a reward for fasting all day.
Many people came together to organize the Fast-a-Thon. The contributing organizations have different political, religious and social values, but, according to Albahri, they put their differences aside to work together to raise awareness about the global issue of starvation.
“We’re proud and we’re excited about this event because quite a few different student organizations are coming together for a common cause,” Michelle Golan, president of the JSU, said.
Through fasting, the organizations hope to show students what it feels like to be hungry and not have food whenever they want or need it.
“Often times people think the world is corrupt and there’s nothing that they can do about it, but people need to see that they can make a difference,” Albahri said. “The smallest thing can make a difference.”
To sign up for the event, students can either stop by the Fast-a-Thon table today from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., or register online at fastathonsdsu.sign-up-sheet.com. Proceeds will be donated to organizations such as, Embrace and Islamic Relief.
