More than 20 young people from the Paynesville area went without food for 30 hours on March 14 and 15 to help fight hunger and poverty around the world. The local teens joined thousands of others across the U.S. and Canada in World Vision’s annual 30-Hour Famine.The international Christian relief and development agency World Vision sponsors the 30-Hour Famine each year to help young people learn about global hunger issues and to raise funds for the fight against hunger.
Participants asked family, friends and neighbors to sponsor them financially as they go without food for 30 hours to identify with those who are hungry. Through videos, games, special events and involvement in local community service projects, they learn about hunger and what they can do to help others.
“30-Hour Famine gives us a chance to feel like others around the world feel. if only for a little bit,” Jodi Bauer, Paynesville, said. “It is a great way to help others while experiencing what they go through.”
The local youth raised over $1,000 for hunger. They started their fasting at 7 p.m. Friday night and continued until 7 p.m. Sunday night. The youth stayed at the elementary school where they played games, stuffed envelopes for the Chamber of Commerce, held Bible studies and more. By Sunday noon, the teens where counting down the hours until they could eat again. Meeting with the students were youth pastors David Glesne, Dan Johnson, and Cal Sixta.
Organizing the event was Lindsey Moser, a senior at Paynesville Area High School. The 30-Hour Famine is part of her Gold Award project for Girl Scouts.