Northwest Indiana Students to “Overcome Hunger” Will Band Together to Fight Hunger, Save Lives

Nearly 8,000 Children Die Each Day Because of Hunger, Another Child Dies Every 10 Seconds

Wars and natural disasters dominate the world’s daily headlines, but behind the scenes and far from the spotlight, hunger and preventable diseases claim the lives of 24,000 of the world’s children every day. More than 1 billion people go hungry every day. More than 6 billion live on the planet. One in six will go hungry tonight.

Why so many? For some families, the only food they have is whatever they can grow themselves. One drought or flood can wipe out a year’s harvest. When it does, there’s no supermarket or food bank they can turn to. Others can barely afford food despite their best efforts. Either way, hunger is anything but yesterday’s problem. For 1 billion people, it’s a problem right now. But world hunger is 100 percent preventable, and teens from Calvary Church are ready to help.

This Friday and Saturday, they will be joining the efforts of hundreds of thousands of young people all over the nation who will set aside the usual “stuff” that fills their daily lives. Instead, they will do World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine to “OVERCOME HUNGER” – the theme for this year. By going without food, they get a taste of what the world’s poorest children and families face every day. Prior to the event weekend, students raise funds with the knowledge that every $30 they raise can help feed and care for a child for a month. The students will also perform hands-on service projects during the weekend in order to make a difference in their own communities.

Youth Pastor Joe Wittmer, from Calvary Church, is excited about the prospects of this year’s famine. “We are anticipating around 200 students to come together this weekend to raise awareness and funds to help fight world hunger. We are hoping to see over $12,000.00 raised this weekend toward this effort. In addition to going 30 hours without food, those involved will also be partnering with organizations like Habitat for Humanity, The Boys & Girls Club, Housing Opportunities, various Nursing Homes, and other non-profits to donate hundreds of hours to differing service projects.”

Funds raised by the 30 Hour Famine will contribute to World Vision’s response in areas where famine, conflict, and other crises make children vulnerable to hunger and preventable disease. A portion of the funds raised will also assist families here in the United States. Since 1992, 30 Hour Famine has raised close to $140 million, representing countless lives saved. World Vision works in nearly 100 countries, helping approximately 100 million people every year.

Visit www.30hourfamine.org or call 800-7-FAMINE for more information.