Just hours into a three-day hunger strike, Pat Fitzpatrick joked that he wished someone would sneak him a pepperoni pizza.
But he said he’s chosen to go without food to show that hundreds of people are denied food every day in Gainesville.
Fitzpatrick began a three-day, one-man hunger strike on the steps of City Hall on Monday to protest the 130-meal limit the City Commission placed on Gainesville soup kitchens, including the St. Francis House Inc., a kitchen and shelter.
“We’re not the type of town and we’re not the type of country that will let people go hungry,” he said.
Fitzpatrick had a button on his flower-covered shirt that said, “Feed Every One!” and sat near 13 signs that could be seen from City Hall’s front door. The signs stated biblical verses and said “The world is watching.” One sign had “131” written in big black letters, a reminder of the cut-off limit.
He said at times more than 300 people show up at the St. Francis House to eat, but only 130 can be fed.
Fitzpatrick said not many people know what it’s like to be hungry — not just missing one meal, not a tiny growl of the stomach, but starving.
He’ll break his fast on Thanksgiving, one of the three days of the year the meal limit is lifted. The other two days are Christmas and a day the kitchens choose.
Commissioners were in meetings Monday afternoon and could not be reached for comment.
