More than 360 Albuquerque teens went hungry this weekend to fundraise for a national nonprofit organization.
The teenagers stopped eating after lunch on Friday and went without meals until 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Part of a nationwide effort, the high school students joined about 500,000 teenagers to raise money for World Vision, a Christian relief organization.
According to a World Vision press release, half a million teens nationwide participated in the 30-hour fast to experience the hunger that poor families are often faced with every day.
“I think the biggest thing about it is raising awareness that we’re not just in a little America bubble,” Stevens said. “There is a whole lot of the world out there who needs help.”
The fast was created by World Vision to fight poverty. The nonprofit has hosted the “30-hour famine” campaign for 19 years, according to a World Vision press release.
Melissa Stevens, who volunteered for the fast through Immanuel Lutheran Church, took on the 30-hour fast with nine of her fellow teenage churchgoers. The group also traveled to Good Shepherd Shelter to serve lunch on Saturday.
“I thought it was eye-opening,” Stevens said. “We just got to see how many people really are homeless.”
Teens from Immanuel have been participating in the 30-hour fast for 11 years, said youth group leader Mary Halberg. She said this year the teens raised more than $1,000 to donate to World Vision.
The money was raised solely by the teens, who collected money from various sponsors, Halberg said.
Teens across the nation hope to donate a total of $12 million this year, the press release said. A portion of the money will be donated to Haiti relief efforts, including food and the construction of eight medical clinics and a pharmacy, according to the press release.
The Immanuel youth group agreed the fast was difficult, but it was a worthwhile learning experience.
“Personally, I’ve never done this before,” said Miles Martin, a youth group member. “But I think I would do it again for the experiences and how much we bonded with each other. We learned a lot over this period of time.”
Tiana Moore, another youth group member, said the group learned that malnutrition and preventable diseases are still a huge problem worldwide.
“We think of illnesses as something completely different than the battle it is in different countries,” she said.
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Moore said her generation is sometimes looked down upon for being self-centered or materialistic, but that reputation is incorrect.
“I think an important thing to realize is that there are a lot of young people who want to do good and want to impact the world in a positive manner,” Moore said. “I think the more people see that, the more people will be encouraged to do the same thing.”
Lauren McAuley, a teen from Immanuel, said her experience fasting and serving the homeless lunch has increased her desire to do future community service.
“In the Bible it calls us to be ‘the hands and feet of God’ and that’s showing love to everyone,” she said. “I think it’s important that people, no matter what walk they’re in, know that they’re loved.”
