Taste Hunger, Save Lives

The 30 Hour Famine is a yearly event where students in the U.S. and around the world unite to learn about hunger, raise funds to help the less fortunate, and go hungry themselves for 30 hours. During the event, participants choose to abstain from eating food, and instead only drink water. Those who remain overnight at school participate in games and other activities in order to become educated about world hunger all over the world. Laura Mantovani, member of CURE and organizer of the event, said, “The goal is to challenge students to be apart of something bigger than themselves: to help save lives and be able to feel empathy for those who experience food insecurities as part of their everyday lives.”

On Friday, February 27, about 50 students gathered at the school to play games in the gym, watch movies in the chorus room and even paint t-shirts. There is a minimum of $50 to participate. “The point is for students to raise as much money as they can and spread awareness as they raise it. The money will be donated to organizations that deal with hunger, such as World Vision” said Mantovani.

CURE’s goal, to have students really know what it feels like to not have food, truly affected junior Chelsea Nichols, saying, “It has definitely changed my view of other parts of the world, I saw a glimpse at how they live. Keep in mind, we knew when our next meal was, some people never know when they’re going to eat.” The students attending did know when they were going to eat, at the end of the 30 hours, everyone gathered together for a bread circle where students were given a piece of bread and were not allowed to eat it until everyone shared their experience. “It’s not until that moment when students really get to feel what it’s like to be part of the 800 million people who go hungry every day.”

“I did this my freshman year and I definitely want to do it again, I enjoyed bonding with people I never really would hang out with.” Nichols said. If you do decide to do attempt the 30 hour famine, it’s not really that hard, just drink lots of water and you’ll be fine.

If you would like to help with world hunger click here! You can also check out the World Vision website to learn more.