The Woodward News

Local News

September 8, 2010

Fargo youth group to hold 30-hour famine

Dave Matthews Woodward News

Woodward, Okla. — FARGO--The youth group of the Fargo Methodist Church will be participating in an unique fundraiser this weekend, called a 30-hour famine.

Ellen Morehart, a volunteer with the church's youth group, said this will be the second year that the youth group has done this.

“I didn’t think the kids would want to do this again this year, because it is a hard goal to reach and teenagers like to eat,” Morehart said.

But, she said, “When I suggested it again, the kids were thrilled with the idea.”

As part of the 30-hour famine, the participating youth will not only forego eating for more than a day, but will also spend Friday night outside, sleeping in boxes, Morehart said.

“The reason for sleeping outside is so the kids will get the full of effect of being homeless and not having any food,” Morehart said, noting the experience shows how much we take for granted.

“We all take our resources for granted such as food, water, a warm bed and so much more,” Morehart said.

 Morehart said the youth are excited about doing it again.

 The famine will start Friday afternoon when the youth are finished eating lunch at school and will go until Saturday evening. There will be a special dinner for the kids Saturday evening that will break the famine, Morehart said.

 “We take our food for granted, while others don't have food to eat at all, and the kids will experience that,” Morehart said.

Beyond just experiencing what it's like to go without food, the purpose of the 30-hour famine is so that the youth group can raise money for an organization that seeks in part to see that fewer people around the world go hungry.

Morehart said the youth will accept donations for their efforts over the weekend, with 100% of the proceeds to be given to World Vision.

 According to World Vision’s official website www.worldvision.org, it 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."  The website states the organization serves "close to 100 million people in nearly 100 countries around the world."

 After raising $1,500 with last year's event, Morehart said the youth group's goal is to raise $2,000 this year.

 In addition to donations to support those participating in the 30-hour famine, the youth group will hold a garage sale Saturday morning from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the parking lot of the Fargo Methodist Church, with the proceeds going to World Vision also.

 “We also have a private donor who will match every dollar with $10,” Morehart said.

This means if the group were to meet it's own small goal, the matching donation would bring the total contribution to World Vision to $22,000.

 Morehart said 8 kids participated in the famine last year as well as a few adults, and she thinks most of them are returning this year.

 “During the famine last year, some of the kids wanted to quit because they were hungry and didn’t think they could continue,” Morehart said. “But, the adults circled around the kids put a hand on their back and prayed for them, and after that the kid was fine again and wanted to continue with the famine.”

 To contribute to the group's fundraising efforts, contact Ellen Morehart at (580) 698-2489 or (580) 216-1243. Checks can be made payable to World Vision and mailed to PO Box 18, Fargo, OK 73840.

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