Canadian youth light up the country for the 30 Hour Famine

MISSISSAUGA, ON, April 24, 2015 /CNW/ - For the 44^th year, Canadian youth from coast to coast are participating in the 30 Hour Famine this weekend. Thousands of Canadian teens will go hungry for thirty hours with the goal of raising $582,000 to fight hunger around the world. Tonight, in recognition of the 30 Hour Famine, Niagara Falls and Vancouver's Canada Place will light up in orange, World Vision's signature colour.

The 30 Hour Famine began in Canada, and is now practised in 21 countries and has raised almost a billion dollars for World Vision food projects.  Last year 8,500 Canadian students fasted, raising $900,000.

Quote:

"In 1971 my friends and I were moved to action by the realities of the people living through the famine in Ethiopia.  To see that hundreds of thousands of students around the world each year are continuing to work towards the goal of eliminating hunger is overwhelming and gives me hope this is a reality we could see in our lifetime."

- Ruth Roberts, the 30 Hour Famine founder

Interviews:

World Vision spokespeople and regional participants are available for interviews across the country.

Quick Facts:

• Last year thousands of students from every province and territory did the 30 Hour Famine
• The 30 Hour Famine participants around the world have raised almost a billion dollars for World Vision food projects.
• 870 million people around the world go hungry regularly.
• Proceeds from the 30 Hour Famine go to support World Vision programs such as helping farmers be successful, clean water initiatives, and malnutrition centres.

Background Information:

Visit us at www.famine.ca
Like us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/30HRFamine?fref=ts                                                                       
Join the conversation: @30HRFamine, #SeeHunger #WhyImFasting                                                                         
Follow us on Instagram: @30HRFamine

What Canadians Can Do:

Do the 30 Hour Famine, or donate to someone who is.

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. Visit our News Centre at worldvision.ca

SOURCE World Vision Canada

Image with caption: "Students gather together to do the 30 Hour Famine at Earl Haig Secondary school in 2013 (CNW Group/World Vision Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150424_C9194_PHOTO_EN_43438.jpg