Press Releases

Monterey, Calif. - March 5, 2008 - For the 10th year in a row approximately 20 students from Santa Catalina School and 15 students from First Presbyterian Church of Monterey came together last weekend in an ecumenical effort to address the intolerable reality of world hunger.

The youth pledged to go without food for 24-30 hours to raise money for both World Vision and Catholic Relief Services, organizations committed to serving the world's poor, regardless of a person's religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. Led by longtime organizer and teacher Debra Baker, Santa Catalina's Food Fast program has raised more than $55,000 since it began. Each year over 600,000 young people across the United States participate in similar events to try to prevent the fact that six million children under the age of five die every year as a result of hunger.

With a focus on global poverty and justice, Food Fast gives participants an experience of solidarity with others around the world living in hunger and poverty. The event also provides an experience of community as students work together to serve those in our own local neighborhood who experience hunger on a regular basis.

Students participated in activities that focused on cultural awareness and mindfulness of food, water needs and waste. During the fast, these dedicated young people helped to prepare a meal for the homeless at Dorothy's Kitchen in Salinas, and did other community service for the I-Help Organization on the Monterey Peninsula. Many of the participants built shelters out of cardboard, and braved the cold of the night to see what it feels like to sleep on the streets in the United States or to be a refugee, like so many people around the world. The event ended with all participants sharing a simple vegetarian meal.

### About Santa Catalina School Santa Catalina School is dedicated to the education of young people between the ages of 4-18, giving careful consideration to the individual abilities and potential of each child. The school's mission is to balance intellectual growth with spiritual awareness, creativity with order, and individuality with compassion. Santa Catalina School is enriched by the diversity of socioeconomic, religious, geographic, and cultural backgrounds represented by students and faculty. The Upper School includes boarding students from 14 states and 9 countries. Local students come from not only the Central Coast, but also from cities as far away as Gilroy, King City, Santa Cruz, San Jose and Santa Clara. For more information visit www.santacatalina.orgor call 831.655.9300.