Teens Fast to Fight Hunger Worldwide
After 30 hours of consuming nothing but water and fruit juices, scores of Ventura County teens will break their fast tonight as part of the World Vision 30 Hour Famine. The event, sponsored by the Christian humanitarian organization World Vision, involved more than 500,000 teens nationwide.
The teens began their fast at 1 p.m. Friday and will end at 7 p.m. today.
The event is aimed at raising money and awareness among youngsters about the problem of worldwide hunger, while developing relief programs within the community. “The compassion shown by these kids for the world’s poor is overwhelming,” said Doug McGlashan, national director for the 30 Hour Famine. McGlashan added that he expects to raise more than $4 million through pledges and sponsorship from the event.
Dan Swim, youth leader for the South Coast Fellowship church group in Ventura, organized one of the fasts among a group of about 30 students from various area junior high schools.
Swim said each of the teens is donating at least $10, or the amount they would expect to spend a day on food. The money will then be forwarded to the Know Hunger organization headquartered in Washington, D.C.
“I’m really proud of them for doing this because it’s hard,” Swim added. “They’re an awesome bunch of kids.”
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