2000 Yale Students Fast

Some 2200 Yale University students celebrated the opening of the World Food Conference in Rome this week rather tastefully - by fasting.

The students, along with University Chaplin Reverend William Sloan Coffin, made a deal with the Yale dining hall. The manager agreed to refund $1.70 - or the price of two meals - for each student who fasted for 21 hours.

The money collected is being turned over to relief organizations sending food and supplies to West Africa, Bangla Desh and - not surprisingly - to the underprivileged of New Haven, Connecticut, where Yale is located.