TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Zephyrhills Councilman Ends 32-Day Fast

Tribune photo by FRED BELLET

Zephyrhills City Councilman Luis Lopez breaks his fast today at the East Pasco Meals on Wheels.

ADVERTISEMENT

By NICOLA M. WHITE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 3, 2008

ZEPHYRHILLS – City Councilman Luis Lopez ended his 32-day fast today, eating a few bites of lunch at East Pasco Meals on Wheels.

Lopez, 45, decided to fast last month as a way of raising awareness about hunger in the community; along the way, he raised money for Meals on Wheels and the soup kitchen at Zephyrhills' Community Chapel Church of God.

"Let's eat," Lopez said as Meals on Wheels Chef Greg Vest handed him a Styrofoam container of white rice, peas and baked tilapia.

For the past 32 days, Lopez had consumed nothing but vitamins and water. Every few days, he drank heated chicken or beef broth. He also drank grape-flavored Pedialyte, a children's dietary supplement, for strength some afternoons.

Lopez started his fast Dec. 3 and stuck to his commitment throughout the holidays. That meant no Christmas dinner and no New Year's Eve Chinese takeout, his family's traditional holiday meal.

He started his fast at 247 pounds. Thursday morning he weighed 210. His stomach was noticeably flatter and his face more gaunt. He said that although the fast was difficult, he was in decent spirits throughout.

Cindy Beson, Meals on Wheels' interim director, wiped away tears as Lopez took his first bites of food. Before he dug in, he handed Beson a check for $356.80. Community Chapel Church of God will receive a check for $160.80. Lopez expects at least $80 in pledges to come in by the end of the month, he said.

"I know how much he sacrificed," Beson said later. "It's overwhelming."

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT