Students Raise Money for Ukrainian Refugees with 24-Hour Fast Fundraiser
DeSales students are standing in solidarity with Ukrainian refugees.
The Center for Faith and Justice hosted a 24-hour fast to raise awareness and money for Ukrainians forced to flee their homes because of the Russian invasion. The fast began on Sunday, April 10. The group broke the fast together the following day.
“One thing that kept me going throughout the day was reminding myself that I was choosing not to eat, and I have the privilege to do so,” said Jessika Buenaventura ’22, an early childhood elementary education major. “And unfortunately, so many people around the world face hunger each day, but it isn’t a choice they’ve made.”
“This 24-hour fast reminds me that some people do not have the privilege of eating whenever they like, and to be mindful when I eat, especially if I think about wasting that food.”
Participants raised money each hour of the fast. The funds were then donated to Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church in Easton. Students say the impact of the event put real-world issues into perspective.
“This 24-hour fast reminds me that some people do not have the privilege of eating whenever they like, and to be mindful when I eat, especially if I think about wasting that food,” said Emanuel Luna ’24, a computer science major.
Andrew Beers ’22, a senior communication major, took part in the event for the second time. Beers and Buenaventura also recently attended a rally in Harrisburg to lobby for $1 million in funding to fight food insecurity on college campuses.
“It was fun to do the hunger fast for a second time and to help and encourage others to make it through the 24-hour period,” Beers said. “It’s important to understand what most of the world is going through daily, and to fast for 24 hours puts a lot of other people’s struggles into perspective.”
