Fast For Hope

Fast for Hope is a program unique to District 5960, although many districts undertake similar efforts. In the early days of the program, District Rotarians were asked to skip the meal during their Rotary meeting one day per year and to instead donate the cost of the meal to a district international service project, hence the name "Fast for Hope."

The goal of Fast for Hope is to create a replicable and sustainable model to address extreme poverty in the developing world. Based in part on the book The End of Poverty, which posits we are the first generation with the ability to end extreme poverty in the world. The premise is that this cannot be achieved by merely doing projects. Rather we must address the myriad issues—at a community-wide level—that cause the community to exist in extreme poverty; and once the community achieves a sufficient, basic level of economic success, they can continue to grow without further assistance. Critical issues may vary between communities but many include lack of access to education and markets, limited experience organizing as a community, or a developed culture of dependence on charity.

Dave has been a Rotarian since 1982 and is a member of the Arden Hills/Shoreview Rotary Club.  He is the past President of the Fridley Rotary Club and a previous member of the Stillwater Sunrise Club.  Dave has held a variety of leadership positions in our Rotary district, including for the 12 years as the Chair of Fast for Hope.  Dave has made 12 trips to Nicaragua.  He is the recipient of the “Service Above Self” award from Rotary International and is a major donor to the Rotary Foundation.  By profession he is a residential real estate developer and is a member of the Board of Directors of Tradition Capital Bank in Edina and North Oaks.