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A little hunger teaches a big lesson By Angela Keller
It is not uncommon these days to hear the inhabitants of Silicon Valley complain of being time-poor. Even our children, through their myriad of activities, are afflicted by this problem. But recently some area teens joined together to spend their precious time to tackle a much more serious problem.
For the fourth consecutive year several Lutheran church youth groups from around the Bay Area participated in the 30 Hour Famine promoted by the charitable organization World Vision. The event is a youth-oriented worldwide fundraiser held annually in an effort to save thousands from starvation. Last year 1.5 million students raised more than $21 million which was utilized by World Vision for the feeding and medical care of children around the world and throughout the United States. World Vision originally started as an orphanage in North Korea almost 50 years ago. Today it acts as a child sponsorship program and operates in more than 100 countries.
Locally Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Saratoga served as host to 40 students from seven Bay Area Lutheran churches. The teens gathered pledges in exchange for 30 hours of fasting during which time they learned about and focused on other hunger-related problems including homelessness. The fasting began on Friday afternoon and continued through Saturday night. On Friday evening the group discussed their thoughts about the event. Approximately half had participated in prior years and were happy for the opportunity to reacquaint themselves with old friends. All were looking forward to making their contribution to the cause. One young man saw this as a reminder of his own good fortune in comparison to so many others who live in constant need.
The group spent Friday night in sleeping bags on the linoleum floor and were required to barter for cardboard and tape in order to construct their own shelters. On Saturday they shopped for and then assembled bag lunches and hygiene kits for distribution. "Making the lunches was hard because it reminded me of how hungry I was and we couldn't even lick our fingers," one of the participants commented.
The highlight of the event took place at St. James Park in San Jose. "We have tried in the past to work with local shelters, but have found it difficult to get the kids hands-on experience," said Prince of Peace youth director Danny Dye. Instead the group went to St. James Park to distribute the bag lunches and hygiene kits directly to the homeless. This gives them an opportunity to interact and see those they are helping as human beings.
"Up until going to the park, the kids don't quite get it, but the interaction really gives them a clear picture of what's going on out there," Dye said. Many of the youth commented on the individuals they saw. A mother and child, a young man claiming a private high school education and a pregnant woman were among those who made a memorable impression. Many of the participants were struck by the realization that homelessness and hunger can occur anywhere, even in our own backyards. They were pleased by the appreciation with which they were greeted and by the desire of many of the park inhabitants just to talk.
Some parents expressed concern over their teens fasting for a 30-hour period or did not see the relevance of the event. The group expects to raise at least $1500, however, and no one appeared to suffer from the fasting. Those who participated came away with an increased awareness of the global problem as well as a sense of having made a difference on a local level. One young woman was inspired to go home and clean out her closet to donate unwanted clothes. She realized, "I have more than I need."
Pledges can still be accepted through Prince of Peace Church (408) 253-7167. For more information on the 30 hour Famine, please contact World Vision at 1-800-7-FAMINE.
Angela Keller is a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Saratoga.
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Saratoga, California Since 1975
