A: The 30 Hour Famine gives students a chance to help overcome hunger — by going without food so others don't have to. It's an unforgettable experience that will rock their world and make an incredible difference around the globe!
Youth groups
sign up for one of two national Famine dates (February 24-25 or April 27-28, 2012) or choose their own Famine date. Then, students
learn about hunger and
fundraise to help feed and care for children living in poverty.
On Famine weekend, students get a crash course in global hunger by
going 30 hours without food. World Vision provides
loads of activities to help make this a totally fun, educational, and life-changing experience.
A: Worldwide, 925 million people are hungry. Every day, as many as 11,000 children under age 5 die due to hunger-related causes. That's one kid every 8 seconds.
The Famine gives your group a chance to do something about it -- to rise up and serve the hungry.
We can overcome hunger. By joining together, your group can give hope to families living in poverty. And by going hungry so others don't have to, you'll draw closer to God and each other -- and make a lasting difference for children around the world.
A: The money you raise has an incredible impact -- helping
World Vision fight hunger and poverty around the world. World Vision is a leading Chrisitan ministry serving people in nearly 100 countries. You can
designate your Famine funds to help hungry children in the country of your choice, or have World Vision use them to fught hunger wherever needed most.
A: Every $30 you raise can help feed and care for a child for a month.
World Vision puts the funds you raise to work by bringing emergency food aid to disaster zones and giving families the tools they need to overcome hunger in their communities.
With your help, we're partnering with the poor and equipping them to change the direction of their lives. What does this change look like? Parents giving their children nutritious food. People drinking clean water. Kids going to school. Families getting on their feet -- and standing strong.
Since the Famine started in 1992, the total number of kids under age 5 who die each day -- most of them from preventable causes like hunger, poverty, and disease -- has falled from 34,000 to 22,000. That's thanks to the hard work of a lot of people, including groups like yours who do the Famine.
A: World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice.
Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ, we serve alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God’s unconditional love for all people. We serve all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.
Learn more about World Vision.
A: Through the Famine, students learn about real-world issues of poverty and injustice, and they get the chance to make a real difference for hungry children.
And their own lives are transformed as they experience hunger firsthand -- going without food so others don't have to. During the Famine, students grow closer to God and each other.
But don’t just take our word for it. Read stories from real-life Famine participants.
A: Yes! You can give to support a
Famine group or an
individual Famine participant. You can also make a general donation to
help fight hunger and poverty. A: There's no minimum amount required to participate in the Famine. Every dollar your students raise can help feed and care for a hungry child for another day -- so no amount is too small.
The important thing is to get your group pumped about changing lives by raising funds to beat hunger. Have them set a fundraising goal and encourage them to beat it. if a student raises just $360 (12 donations of $30 each), they'll be helping feed and care for a child for an entire year -- and they'll be eligible to apply for the Famine Study Tour!
A: We’ve invested a lot of effort in creating Famine materials that will help your group raise funds for World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine (and have a great experience doing it!). We ask that you please refrain from using these materials for any other purpose — including sending all or part of your Famine funds to another organization or using them for other missions programs — unless you get our express written consent.
A: We've got a lot of fundraising ideas to get your creative juices flowing.
Start by setting a fundraising goal. After you've given your group the lowdown on hunger, have them think about how many kids they'd like to help. Every $30 raised can help feed and care for one child for a month -- $360 can feed one kid for an entire year.
Once you've set your goal, go all-out! You can fundraise online, hold group fundraisers, invite local businesses to match donations, and more. Whatever you decide to do, we're here to help. We've got tools to promote your Famine and helpful fundraising tips. And you can contact us anytime!
A: You sure can!
Find other local Famine groups here, then connect with leaders to share ideas and maybe even do a joint Famine or start a friendly
fundraising competition!
A: In the Bible, people fasted for all kinds of reasons. Some did it as an act of worship (Acts 13:2), some to get right with God (Nehemiah 9:1). Jesus fasted in preparation for his public ministry (Matthew 4:2).
Whatever the goal, fasting helps you break free from the clutter of our own world and focus on what matters to God. Fasting as a part of the 30 Hour Famine helps students identify with the hungry children they’re helping -- and learn about hunger in a way they'll never forget.
Be sure to check out our
fasting tips, plus creative
alternatives to a food fast.
A: Most people can safely go without food for 30 hours, but there are a few people who shouldn’t try it — including kids under 12, the elderly, pregnant or nursing women, and people with certain medical conditions.
If you have
any concerns about fasting, be sure to check with a doctor first. If anyone in your group is unable to participate in a food fast, we’ve come up with some creative
alternatives.
A: Fasting is a recognized part of the 30 Hour Famine, but it’s not required. If for any reason (medical or otherwise) someone can’t participate in a 30-hour fast, there are alternatives — like skipping one meal or doing a “techno-fast.”
See more fasting alternatives.
A: When you
sign up to do the Famine, we’ll provide everything you need! We’ll send you a free Famine toolkit (
a $50 value) that includes a leader’s guide, fundraising packets for each student, educational videos, and more.
We've also created an online
Leader’s Center that will help you customize your Famine planning.
And we're totally here for you! Whenever you need ideas, want more resources, or have questions, you can email us at 30hfsupport@worldvision.org or call 1.800.7.FAMINE (1.800.732.6463).
A: No way will your group have time to get bored! We've got you covered with loads of awesome ideas to fill your Famine weekend from start to finish.
One of the most popular options is TRIBE, the educational, interactive (and FUN!) survival challenge that will have your students racing to beat hunger and poverty. Another great idea is doing a service project to meet needs in your own backyard.
For more options, check out our list of Famine activities. But don't limit yourself -- get your students involved in the planning, and let your own creativity run wild.
COMING SOON: Brand-new Famine curriculum filled with tons of activities, discussion questions, Bible verses, prayers, and hunger facts to take your group even deeper! Check back later to download this free resource.
A: We love questions! Just let us know how we can help.
