Source: The Muslim Students’ Association of the U.S. & Canada

http://www.fast-a-thon.org/national_press_release.htm

On October 31, 2002 The Muslim Students’ Association of the U.S. & Canada issued a press release that stated "this Ramadan (expected to begin on Nov. 6), Muslim students across the US and Canada will be sharing their fasting experience and the consciousness it raises with their non-Muslim peers by hosting Ramadan Fast-a-Thon initiatives on their campuses. Based on an event originally conceived by the MSA at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, local MSA chapters will encourage non-Muslim students at their respective universities to fast on November 14th.  For each student that participates, local businesses will donate at least $1 to an emergency food provider in their area.  At the conclusion of the fast, participating students will be invited to share a meal prepared by the MSA and the local Muslim community. Last year, the event was extremely successful at the University of Tennessee, as the students there raised $500 for a local food pantry.  Tarek El-Messidi, former MSA Knoxville president said of their experience with the Fast-a-Thon, 'I think that the turnout was great...and it shows that a lot of people care about hunger.'"