[Indianapolis, Indiana] – Wars and natural disasters dominate the world’s daily headlines, but behind the scenes and far from the spotlight, hunger and preventable diseases claim the lives of 24,000 of the world’s children every day. More than 1 billion people go hungry every day. More than 6 billion live on the planet. One in six will go hungry tonight.
Why so many? For some families, the only food they have is whatever they can grow themselves. One drought or flood can wipe out a year’s harvest. When it does, there’s no supermarket or food bank they can turn to. Others can barely afford food despite their best efforts. Either way, hunger is anything but yesterday’s problem. For 1 billion people, it’s a problem right now. But world hunger is 100 percent preventable, and teens from Shortridge High School and Arlington Community High School involved in D.R.E.A.M. Alive are ready to help.
D.R.E.A.M. Alive, Inc. is a local youth serving non-profit that strengthens communities by reinforcing the inherent value to give and serve through education, mentoring, and community service programs. Founded by former Colts Pro-Bowl tackle Tarik Glenn and his wife Maya, D.R.E.A.M. Alive serves 7th-12th grade students afterschool at Shortridge Magnet High School and Arlington Community High School.
This February 23rd-24th, D.R.E.A.M. Alive Scholars will be joining the efforts of hundreds of thousands of young people all over the nation who will set aside the usual “stuff” that fills their daily lives. Instead, they will do World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine because they are “LOVE HUNGRY.” By going without food, they get a taste of what the world’s poorest children and families face every day. Prior to the event weekend, students raise funds with the knowledge that every $30 they raise can help feed and care for a child for a month. Also as part of the Famine, D.R.E.A.M. Alive Scholars will be actively involved in service projects this semester for those without food or shelter by volunteering at Gleaners Food Bank and packing hygiene kits for local homeless through C.H.I.P (Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention, Indianapolis).
Funds raised by 30 Hour Famine participants help feed and care for children in communities in need around the globe through World Vision. A portion of the funds raised assist families in need in the United States. Famine funds contribute to World Vision’s response in areas where famine, conflict, and other crises make children vulnerable to hunger and preventable disease. Since 1992, 30 Hour Famine has raised close to $140 million, representing countless lives saved. World Vision works in nearly 100 countries, helping approximately 100 million people every year.
