Fasting and Giving to the Poor

Human beings are hardwired for connection. We want to feel like we matter. It took me a number of years to realize why we donate fast offerings on the day that we fast. Hunger is the greatest scourge of poverty. When we fast, we feel in the slightest of ways what the poor may feel every moment of every day. Knowing that this is their experience, we are asked to alleviate it by our contribution. Our fasting is a monthly encouragement to consider the plight of the poor.