Teens Take Over World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine Website

From now until April, some 200,000 teens will go hungry to raise funds and hunger awareness as part of World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine (30HF).

This weekend, teens across America will also be given control of World Vision's 30HF website so they can use social media to fight world hunger.

According to a new World Vision study, conducted online earlier this month by Harris Interactive on behalf of World Vision, more than half of teens (56 percent) say social media sites (Facebook, Twitter) have made them more aware of the needs of others. This is a huge increase from 2011, when just over 4 in 10 (44 percent) said their use of social media made them more aware.

The survey also found that most teens feel it is primarily the responsibility of churches or other religious organizations (76 percent) to help address hunger in the local community, with as many as 2 in 3 teens (66 percent) also indicating that the responsibility lies with them.

Since 1992, 30HF has raised more than $150 million to fight world hunger. As part of the effort, teens go without food for 30 hours to get a taste of what the world’s poorest children face. Prior to the event, teens raise funds by explaining how $1 can help feed and care for a child a day. Teens consume only water and juice as they participate in local community service projects at food banks and homeless shelters.

Last year, 30HF raised $9.8 million to fight hunger. This year’s goal is $10.5 million. Funds raised this year for 30HF will be sent to 10 countries including Haiti, Burundi and the U.S. This year marks the first time 30HF funds are being designated to fight hunger here in the U.S.

While many will engage in 30HF in February, others will participate April 26-27.

For more information, visit 30hourfamine.org or facebook.com/wv30HF, or call 800-7-FAMINE.

Published: February 21, 2013