The St. Elizabeth Committee is organizing a 30-hour famine to raise awareness of worldwide hunger during Poverty and Homelessness Week at Wartburg. 

The fast will begin Tuesday, Nov. 15, at 2 p.m. and continue until Wednesday at 8 p.m. 

An informational meeting will be 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 15 in McCoy East. Speakers will discuss what fasting means in their culture or religion. Participants will receive hunger facts, guidelines for fasting and reflection questions. 

The 30-hour famine will conclude with a Famine Feast at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, in the Chapel Commons.

Ellie Schwarz, a student leader of the 30-hour famine, said the experiences give people a hands-on demonstration of hunger.

“I hope they will learn a bit about what it feels like to go to bed hungry, to study hungry, to try to stay positive while hungry,” Schwarz said. “I would like people to open their eyes a bit to what is occurring in the world, in the United States, in Iowa, and in Waverly.”

Schwarz participated in the famine last year. 

“I went into a hunger state when I did not feel the hunger anymore because my body knew it was not going to receive food. It was a very weird feeling,” Schwarz said. “Students will find that it is a lot more difficult to go through our routines with food on our minds. People will appreciate the food once they can eat. If I had to do this day after day or I did not know when I could eat, this would be the hardest thing in the world.” 

Participants can enjoy surprise dishes and more information at the Famine Feast.

“In order for change to occur, people need to become educated and aware of the issues. There is enough food in the world for everyone to eat, but this does not happen,” Schwarz said. “This problem will not be solved by people sitting around.”

Schwarz said participants have several ways to get involved in ending hunger in Waverly — the Northeast Iowa Food Bank; Wednesday community meals at the Vineyard; and Manna, a hunger awareness group on campus.

“I hope students will learn to appreciate the food that we have and all of the blessings we receive,” Schwarz said.