More than 500 students will forgo breakfast and lunch today in observance of Yom Kippur--and they'll donate the money the College would otherwise have spent on the meals to charity as part of Harvard-Radcliffe Hillel's MAZON project.

Approximately $1,700 will likely be donated, Michael P. Berry, director of dining services, said in an interview yesterday.

"Harvard students are really well connected with the community and understand that there are many less fortunate people who don't get a good meal every day and we're really proud of their commitment to them," Berry said.

"It's really nice when one person can take initiative and make a difference," he said, noting that Quincy House resident Scott L. Alport '98 spearheaded the project.

Students said they didn't mind giving up their meal money, especially since the meals would go to waste anyway.

"It makes sense. I'm not going to be eating the food, so I might as well give it to charity," said David M. Orenstein '99. "It just seems logical."

The money will go to a charity based in Los Angeles called MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger.

Jews all over the world are fasting today to honor Yom Kippur, a day of stonement, which began at sundown last night and will end when the sun sets today.

This high holy day is marked by "solemn reflection on ways to improve ourselves and make the next year a better one by...[acting] in a more positive and constructive way," said Hillel Chair Ethan M. Tucker '97.

Tucker, who is a Crimson editor, said Yom Kippur is one of the most widely observed of all Jewish holidays. Jews commemorate Yom Kippur with a full day of prayer while they refrain from eating and drinking.

Technology on the Harvard campus helped to get Hillel's fledgling MAZON program off the ground. Last Wednesday night, students working at Hillel contacted its entire undergraduate mailing list by e-mail, said David J. Andorsky '97, a Crimson editor who is Hillel's publicity czar.

Two hundred and fifty students signed up electronically within 24 hours after the message had been sent out.

More than 300 people ultimately responded through their computers. The rest joined the effort by signing up at their house dining halls or in the Union.

"It's very easy to respond [by e-mail]...I think that's what increased participation in this program," said Andorsky.

With nearly 550 people skipping two meals today, at a food cost of $1.60 per meal, approximately $1760 will be sent to MAZON as a result of the project, Berry said.

Sarah E. Rimsky '98 is participating in the project today. She says her family has always donated to the hungry the money they would have spent on food during Yom Kippur, usually about $100.

"We went really overboard, but it was for the idea. It's a nice cap on the year and a good way to start the new one. It accentuates the meaning of the holiday," Rimsky said. "As well as being a good thing to do for other people, it's a good thing to do for ourselves. It makes me feel better about myself and the meaning of the holiday."

Sophie Pegrum, operations manager for MAZON's national office in Los Angeles, said Harvard's contribution is welcome.

"Any public education, as well as money, is wonderful," Pegrum said. "MAZON is extremely glad and proud of Hillel's participation in the high holy day's appeal.