UF students are encouraged to starve themselves — at least for a day.

Starting 6 p.m. Friday, volunteers will vow to ingest nothing but water and Gatorade for 24 hours to raise awareness for homelessness and hunger.

Jeremy A. Scott, director of the Black Student Union’s Leadership Development Institute, which will host the Fast for Food event, said these issues are more prevalent in Gainesville than people think.

“UF gets recognition for athletics and academics,” Scott said. “People fail to notice that a couple blocks down on University Avenue is where the majority of homeless are.”

The organization will also use Fast for Food as an opportunity to give students a taste of what it’s like to live in poverty.

Students are expected to follow the honor code and promise not to eat during the night. They will meet again at 9 a.m. Saturday on the Plaza of the Americas to compete in an “Amazing Race”-style scavenger hunt.

They will split into teams and complete tasks around town — but they will only be allowed to walk or take the bus to each location.

He said tasks will include participants buying meals, pillows or jackets for homeless people they meet and listening to their stories.

“You don’t think to do these things when you see the homeless on the street,” he said. “But these people have struggled, and they can’t afford these things like we can.”

The activities are open to both individuals and organizations. The registration fee is $5 and $25, respectively.