Mike, perhaps we should start with the families who lost their homes and/or loved ones in the weekend storms. I'll tell you what impresses me: without any organization or prompting, entire communities have mobilized to help those families get back on their feet. Hotels have donated rooms and microwaves/equipment with no chance of recompense; companies have set up special deals to give hope to people who are close to despair after losing all their worldly belongings. Many of your countrymen will say "what did you expect" and they're right: that's how Americans behave once you get past the "country" thing down to the real people.

IMHO it's the same with the starving poor. You need to get past the whole overwhelming/demoralizing concept down to tangible issues- particular communities, identified needs, demonstrable benefits. A well for a tribe in a parched wasteland. A silo for a community whose grain spoils. a repaired dam for a Mission hospital that has had no running water for 6 months. In those sorts of areas, Americans are unstinting. But a day of fasting? Perhaps to some it feels like holding a day of fasting to promote world peace. Even if you do believe in a God/greater being who may be impressed and may assist, it's still a gesture with no connection to the goal.

JMHO. I have no problem with the concept of a day of fasting, but not as a "proof" that I care about the topic.