Published Wednesday, November 11, 2009 6:05 AM

A&M Muslim students fasting to fight hunger

By MICHELLE CASADY
michelle.casady@theeagle.com

Every day, enough people go hungry across the Brazos Valley to fill half the seats at Kyle Field.

On Thursday, at least a thousand more will join their ranks, pledging to voluntarily forgo their meals for the day so that those who go hungry without choice can be provided for.

"It's taking a lot of our families in Bryan-College Station getting food stamps, having a job and going to the food bank just to keep food on the table," said Theresa Mangapora, executive director of the Brazos Valley Food Bank. "That's the reality of it."

Texas A&M University's Muslim Student Association is preparing for its annual Fast-a-thon, and all proceeds -- hopefully about $3,000 -- will go to benefit the Brazos Valley Food Bank.

The fundraiser will be capped off with a 5:30 p.m. banquet, where those who went hungry will share a meal together, discuss the day's experiences and hear from guest speakers about hunger on a local level.

Fasting is an important aspect of the Muslim faith, as evidenced in the holy month of Ramadan, during which participants fast for 30 days.

The organizers of Fast-a-thon stress there are no religious implications associated with the fundraising event.

"If anyone has the opportunity to go, you're going to see people who are not of the Muslim faith, but just people who believe in this event and believe in helping others," Mangapora said. "This is a very heartfelt and humble thing this group of students does. They believe very strongly in helping their neighbors."

Ali Madha, a senior biology major from Richardson, is a coordinator and has been planning for Fast-a-thon since January.

This year, he had to ask a few more businesses to offer to sponsor the fasters than normal to secure the goal donation.

"Specifically, I went to two businesses that normally donate, and they said they hadn't made any money this year because of the economy," he said. "But setting high goals is really essential for this to be a success."

Madha said things seem to be on track for this year's event to have a large and positive impact on the food bank and residents.

"We are part of the community," he said of the Muslim Student Association. "Just as much as anyone else, it's our duty to help out our community and neighbors."

For more information about the event and how to participate, visit http://msa.tamu.edu.

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