Food Fast 2017

Saint Anthony Food Fast / Service Day
A Service Event for High School Youth ~ Grades 9-12

The annual St. Anthony Youth Food Fast and Service Day took place on February 18. 
Not only did it have a positive effect on our youth, but the Food Fast also helped
many in our community who do not have enough food to eat.
 
The Food Fast is always successful in developing a stronger sense of awareness
and commitment for our young parishioners as they go many hours
without food while participating in service activities that directly help others.

Twenty-two St. Anthony high school parishioners recently participated in our annual Food Fast, where they sacrificed by not eating all day while they served others. We incorporated the Seven Works of Mercy into this year’s Food Fast (feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, bury the dead, shelter the traveler, comfort the sick, and ransom the captive). We prayed and talked through some of the acts, but we participated in others. For example, we prayed for the dead and wrote letters to captive prisoners. We then fed the hungry by traveling to the Franciscan Shelterhouse Soup Kitchen to serve the needy. We comforted the sick by visiting Alzheimer residents at a local nursing home, and we gave drink to the thirsty by passing out bottled water with inspirational notes at the local YMCA. 

Here are some reflections from some of the high school participants: 

Today I went to the soup kitchen, nursing home and the YMCA. At the Soup Kitchen, I passed out make-up. Everyone seemed so grateful. One lady got really excited about nail polish and it made me feel good to see her so happy. At the nursing home, I talked to a lady and played a balloon game. I like to know that I brightened that lady’s day.
    ~ Emily Dodd
 
This was the first time doing this and it was really fun. I have learned that helping people and doing volunteer work makes a person feel accomplished and happy.
    ~ Greg Gnadinger
 
Today was refreshing in my jam packed high school life. I feel like doing the Seven Works of Mercy helped me understand what other people in this community feel. The biggest thing I took away from today was the joy of doing service for others.
    ~ Ross Reyes
 
I met a woman at a nursing home who taught me how I need to get closer to God. She talked about how her childhood was rough, but that church set her on the right path.
    ~ Noah Liter
 
Today I learned how important the little things in life are. At the soup kitchen, I was sorting out makeup into bags. We set out nail polish on a table so people could choose what color they wanted. One lady came up and asked for a certain color nail polish. I handed it to her, and she was extremely happy with a big smile on her face. I would have never guessed something as simple as nail polish could make someone’s day.
    ~ Grace Grady
 
I really enjoyed going to the Soup Kitchen to serve food to the less fortunate. The Soup Kitchen is a great way to interact with the community and make another person’s day. It is always very rewarding to see someone smile when they receive something as simple as a plate of food.
    ~ Emma Flispart

Actions speak louder than words: let your words teach and your actions speak.
    ~ Saint Anthony


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