What is The Freedom Fast?
The Freedom Fast is a nationwide invitation, rooted in history, to pause together. In 2026, on the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, people across the country will give up something ordinary — food, technology, or another daily comfort or convenience— to make space for reflection, dialogue, and service.
This is not a partisan event. It is not tied to any political position, faith tradition, or philosophy. It is tied to all of them.
The Freedom Fast is a civic practice open to all — a chance to pause long enough to see one another again, not as opponents, but as neighbors. The Freedom Fast gives people a chance to reflect, reset, and strengthen together.
Why Fasting?
Fasting is a sacred pause found at the heart of nearly every spiritual tradition as well as non-religious and personal development practices. For centuries, people across faith and belief systems have fasted to deny the body and mind while awakening the spirit. Doing so creates hunger — literal and symbolic. That hunger invites clarity and humility.
What separates us doesn’t only live in institutions — it takes root in us. When we begin to see each other anew, the whole of our civic life can be restored. Healing begins when we choose to see one another as human again.
How It Works
To fast is to pause the noise of the everyday, so the deeper voice within us — and between us — can be heard.
opening space by giving something up.
We Pause
When we truly listen, we discover the stories that soften our hearts and remind us we are more alike than we are apart.
turning reflection into service.
We Reflect & Relate
We Serve
from pause to practice.
Each act of care, however small, becomes a seed of trust planted in the soil of our common life.
As support grows, new resources will unlock — starting with the Starter Fast Kit, then host training pathways, and a digital hub for sharing stories and commitments of service.
What a fast is NOT
Many people have asked what a fast actually means in this context, so here is what it is not.
A fast is not a crash diet.
It is not self-punishment.
It is not a performance.
It is not a protest.
It is not an act of pressure.
It is not a competition.
It is not only about food.
And it is not something everyone must do in the same way.
A fast is a pause that creates space for reflection, dialogue, and renewal.
Who Is Invited
Everyone. Families and neighbors. Educators and students. Veterans and frontline workers. Faith leaders, civic leaders, and youth voices. Anyone who cares about the future of this country is welcome at the table.
The Road Ahead
We are just beginning. Advisors are shaping the vision, partners are stepping in, and supporters like you are making it possible. Together, we can create a sacred pause for civic renewal — a national moment that belongs to all of us.