World Vision Launches “Famine for One” to Help College Students and Adults Fight Global Hunger

Malian child eats nutritious porridge
Nourishing food and nutritional training often provide a new chance for life to children like Boua in Mali. PHOTO: Justin Douglass / World Vision

Seattle, WA (April 24, 2014) — This weekend, World Vision will launch a new effort to fight global hunger designed specifically for college students and adults. The event, called “Famine for One,” seeks to build on the organization’s successful partnership with high school students through its 30 Hour Famine event, which has raised more than $160 million over 25 years to fight childhood hunger in some 100 counties where World Vision works.

“For years, we’ve watched high school students who enthusiastically participated in the 30 Hour Famine graduate without a clear way to continue their fight against global hunger,” said Leah Swindon, National Director for 30 Hour Famine. “Famine for One allows them to continue some of the familiar activities from the 30 Hour Famine but within a structure that works better with their new lives as college students and working adults.”

The intent behind the “Famine for One” concept was to provide college students and adults an opportunity to fight hunger by raising enough funding to alleviate hunger for one person for one year. The suggested fundraising goal is $425.

The launch of Famine for One tomorrow and Friday coincides with one of two national dates on which many high school groups participate in the 30 Hour Famine. However, like the 30 Hour Famine, the Famine for One event can be done anytime.

While the 30 Hour Famine is designed to be done in a large group, the Famine for One can be done alone.  Participants forgo food for the same period of time – 30 hours – but the meditations and devotional activities are designed to be done alone or in small groups.

Today, some 870 million people – about one out of every eight people – is chronically hungry.  Nearly 19,000 children who are hungry today won’t survive tomorrow.

To sign up for Famine for One or for more information, visit the site here.

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About World Vision:
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization conducting relief, development, and advocacy activities in its work with children, families, and their communities in nearly 100 countries to help them reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. For more information, please visit www.WorldVision.org/media-center/ or on Twitter @WorldVisionUSA.

Highlights

  • Initiative offers experience similar to “30 Hour Famine” high school event
  • Allows adults to fight hunger on their own and on their schedules