Students to "BE HUNGRY" for Children Worldwide

The Westminster College Chapel Office will sponsor World Vision's 30-hour famine Feb. 29-March 1 to raise awareness of childhood hunger.

Westminster students will join the efforts of hundreds of thousands of young people and "BE HUNGRY"-the theme of this year's event-by going without food for 30 hours to get a taste of what the world's poorest children and families face every day.

Prior to the weekend, students will register to have funds deducted from their meal plan. Every $30 raised will help feed a child for a month. Funds raised help feed and care for children in poverty-afflicted countries around the globe.

The first 30-hour famine on the Westminster campus was organized by Deborah Ward, a senior business administration major from North Warren and member of the Chapel staff's service team, in 2006.

"I was a participant in four previous famines, starting at my church when I was in high school," Ward said. "My youth leader and I were selected to participate in a study tour with World Vision in Manus, Brazil. I saw the work of World Vision and how it was improving lives, not only of the children and their families, but of entire communities. I wanted to inspire others to go without food and raise money so others around the world can have something as simple as food."

Jenna Brizzi, a junior elementary education major from Loveland, Ohio, and Chapel staff member, is organizing this year's event. "I hope participants in the 30-hour famine get the sense that the first step to making a difference in our world is to make a stand for what you believe in," she said.

The famine will begin at 1 p.m. Feb. 29, following Chapel worship and lunch. Friday evening activities include board games and pool in Browne Hall lobby and a movie in Mueller Theater in the McKelvey Campus Center. Saturday includes a service project with Walker House in New Castle, Breaking the Fast dinner at 7 p.m., and a 9 p.m. concert by Avodah in Wallace Memorial Chapel.

Contact Brizzi at brizzijn@westminster.edu or the Chapel Office at (724) 946-7117 for additional information. 

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