All Fasting is Local

You've heard the expression All Politics is Local.  Can we also say that All Fasting is Local?

The national fasting campaign that was launched by Rev. David Beckmann of Bread for the World, Rev. Jim Wallis of Sojourners, Tony Hall of the Alliance to End Hunger and several other religious leaders has gained the support of a wide group of faith-based and secular anti-hunger and anti-poverty organizations.  There is even a web site dedicated to the National Hunger Fast.

Here's what Rev. Wallis says:

From large Christian groups such as World Vision and Opportunity International, to secular groups such as Women Thrive Worldwide and the ONE campaign; from labor unions such as the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which represents the poorest workers in the country, to MoveOn.org, involvement in this fast is amazingly broad.

Twenty-five members of Congress will join the fast, and this work is now referenced constantly on the House floor. More members continue to join, and they plan to have at least one member fasting every day until Easter by "passing the baton" on to their colleagues.

Another of the national organizations that has joined the effort is Share Our Strength (SOS), which held a one-day fast last Wednesday, April 6.  The fast is ongoing through the SOS NoKid Hungry campaign, which was launched in New Mexico and several other states. Here's what Clay Dunn of SOS says:

Proposed budget cuts in the House of Representatives have spurred our colleagues in the anti-hunger community to launch a hunger fast. The budget cuts, if executed, would have a devastating impact on children struggling with hunger.

This Wednesday, I, along with Share Our Strength founder Bill Shore and other members of our staff, will participate by fasting for 24 hours.

You are Invited to Join the New Mexico Fast

Locally, the New Mexico Collaboration to End Hunger and the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty are leading a one-day fast on Thursday, April 14.  This is the day before tax day.

Here's what the two organizations say:

The proposed cuts will have a devastating impact in New Mexico which has among the highest rates of poverty, hunger and uninsured in the county. The proposed cuts will compromise the food security of New Mexicans who already face unemployment and increasing food and energy costs. We understand fasting is a very personal decision, so we encourage you to participate in the way you feel comfortable.

If you would like to pledge to participate in the New Mexico fast on April 14, click here (scroll down to the bottom).