Fast for Social Action calls on teens to help community

Thursday, March 11, 2010

The many participants in last year's "Fast for Social Action" are shown. Courtesy photo.

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MERRIMACK – St. John Neumann Parish in Merrimack will hold its 14th annual “Fast for Social Action” this weekend.

The fast is designed to raise awareness and funds for local agencies that assist those who are less fortunate. It also brings awareness to participants about local social injustices, educates them on the needs of neighbors and encourages today’s youth to make a positive difference in the world, starting with their own communities.

During the past 13 years, Merrimack fast participants have raised $232,200 for local agencies and collected more than 63,800 pounds of food for the St. John Neumann Food Pantry and other local food pantries.

For this year’s fast, food drives will be at Nashua Catholic Jr. High, the Merrimack Public Library, Dr. Couret’s dentist office at 22 Greeley St. and through the local Girl Scouts chapter.

The participants will be from sixth grade through high school and adults from as many as 10 different towns. They commit to staying overnight at the church hall.

Money pledged will benefit six nonprofit agencies that the St. John Neumann Parish community has chosen, including child and family services, the Cinderella Project, New Horizons in Manchester, New Hampshire Catholic Charities, the SHARE Program in Milford and the St. John Neumann outreach program.

Participants will fast for approximately 30 hours, drinking only juice and water. They will begin fasting at 1:30 p.m. Friday, March 12, and conclude at the Break-Fast dinner following the 5:30 p.m. Mass on Saturday, March 13.

During the fast, representatives from each benefiting agency will make presentations to the participants.

On Saturday morning, the youth participants will shop at local area grocery stores with a limited amount of money and purchase one week’s worth of food and necessities for a family of four – much like families who have limited income that must find a creative way of providing food for their families. All the food collected will benefit the aforementioned local food pantries.

The community can participate in the fast by bringing non-expired and non-dented canned goods to St. John Neumann Church up to noon Sunday.

For questions, to participate or make a donation, call 880-0825 or e-mail SJNRC CYM@myfairpoint.net.

Donations may also be sent to St. John Neumann Fast for Social Action, 708 Milford Road, Route 101A, Merrimack, NH 03054.