Fasting to Fight World Hunger
More than 3,000 Orange County residents are expected to participate in a worldwide fast ending today to raise money for international famine relief.
The 30-hour event, sponsored by World Vision, a Christian nonprofit organization, started Friday. It aims to raise $8 million nationally, up by about $1.5 million from last year. Worldwide last year, 1.5 million participants raised more than $20 million.
Participants, generally church groups, seek sponsors to contribute money as they fast and perform community service or gather for educational activities. In Orange County, 92 groups are participating, including Concordia University, Mariners Church, Bethel Korean and New Community Church, all of Irvine.
Funds raised will be used to feed the hungry in nations including Mexico, North Korea, Romania, Sudan and the United States, a spokesman said Tuesday.
“Everyone should be aware of the hunger that continues to exist in our world today,” said Kristen Schouw, a 17-year-old participant from Christ Community Church in Buena Park.
The fast “gives us a chance to actually do something to change people’s lives who are less fortunate than us,” she said.
Information: (800) 7-FAMINE.
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