Behrend Students Fast for a Good Cause
This past weekend Penn State Behrend students took part in a 30-hour famine, “Fast for Food,” organized by World Vision, whose mission is to alleviate world hunger for children.
The 18 Behrend students and staff members joined students from around the country in this weekend event. They began their fast Friday at 9 a.m. and continued until 3 p.m. Saturday. In total, Behrend students raised over $1000 to combat child hunger. Penn State Behrend has participated in this annual event for about 10 years.
To take their minds off their hunger, the students left on a retreat held at the Sisters of Saint Joseph’s Villa Rose vacation house in McKean. During their overnight community building experience, they participated in teambuilding exercises, a spiritual service, a clay reflection activity, and games–like Bible Pictionary. The students also discussed India’s hunger and human trafficking problems, and reflected on starvation, and the abuse of children that can occur as a result.
Sister Mary Drexler, coordinator for Catholic campus ministries, said, “It is a wonderful experience for those who participate. I always come away with the fact that our students really do have a sense of compassion and care for the most needy among us.”
After the 30 hours, the students broke their fast and were guests at Old Country Buffet.