For-real hunger pangs give 8th-graders taste of poverty

from The3 Rocky Mountain News

Gary Massaro

ARVADA - Eighth-graders got a taste of what some poor kids experience every day of their short, destitute lives - hunger.

The 49 students at Shrine of St. Anne Catholic School volunteered to fast for 30 hours, to perform service projects and to raise money and awareness about hunger in Africa.

"We don't notice hunger with three meals a day and food everywhere," said Austin Lucero, 14. "We had a choice. For people without a choice, it's harder."

The students spent last weekend at school and in the community, volunteering their time and efforts at a variety of places - the World Vision warehouse among them. They sorted boxes of counterfeit American shoes that were confiscated by U.S. Customs and will be donated to poor countries.

Because of schedule conflicts, the students weren't able to participate in a national fast a week earlier sponsored by, and on behalf of, World Vision, which bills itself as "a Christian relief and development organization."

At times, the students became lethargic and withdrawn because of the lack of food.

"I had a hard time keeping my eyes open," said Clare Munger, 14. "There was a game room. And I didn't feel like playing."

Even their downtime was difficult at times.

"Even something as simple as sleeping was kind of hard," Lucero said.

Zach Gillan, 13, had another feeling.

"I felt like I knew what the Africans are going through," he said.

For community projects, some helped make pillows, which are sold by residents at Little Sisters of the Poor. Some cleaned the retreat house at Mother Cabrini Shrine. Some visited and played games with residents at the Retreat, an assisted-living facility.

"I won at bingo. I won Hershey's kisses," Clare Munger said. "And I couldn't eat them."

As the fast wound down Saturday, students went to Mass. Younger students had baked the Communion bread for the service.

Then they went to a meal their parents had prepared.

"The last three hours were the worst," Munger said. "We could smell the food."

The students, their schoolmates and teachers are raising money during Lent to donate to World Vision. So far, they've collected about $7,500.

"I gave up money for Lent," Lucero said. "My birthday was Feb. 22." He donated his birthday money to World Vision.

Munger skipped the meal at school. Her parents rewarded her with a ravioli dinner at her favorite restaurant.

Margaret Siegrist went to a neighbor's open house instead.

"Some guy was complaining because his neighbor didn't water his lawn," she said. "I started to fall asleep."

The students said they learned about themselves: If they work hard, they can accomplish great things. They're stronger than they thought.

"I didn't think I could do anything to help people across the world," Lucero said. "But I learned I can do the little things. This was really a big step. We can change a lot."

massarog@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5271