Doing Good by Doing Without

Amanda Dunnahoe has never had to go hungry. But the 15-year-old willingly went without food for 30 hours this weekend in an effort to help the world’s hungry.

Amanda and more than 40 teens from Seabreeze Community Church in Huntington Beach hit a stretch of beach here Saturday to pick up trash as part of a community service project that accompanied their fasting.

The teens were among more than 43,000 students statewide who joined in to help the hungry by going without food or by undertaking community projects.

Supported by pledges from families and friends, the teens joined more than 600,000 youths across the country in the World Vision 30-Hour Famine, which began Friday and continued Saturday. The effort was expected to raise more than $6.6 million for hunger-fighting programs.

From 1 p.m. Friday to 7 p.m. Saturday, many participants drank only water and fruit juices. Some teens spent part of the 30 hours in community service while they fasted.

“I think it’s so important to help people and to be an example for others,” Amanda said. “Fasting gives you an idea of what some people have to live with.”

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While walking along the beach and picking up debris, Sara Schroeder said it felt good to be doing something to help others.

“Every time I feel a hunger pang, it hits me that this is how people in other countries feel every day of their lives,” said Sara, 17. “I’m happy to do what I can to try and help them.”

Thirteen-year-old Jessica Marr said she thinks it’s important to reach out to those in need. “It’s a nice feeling to be able to do something like this. I’m very grateful for what I have and I just want to help others too.”

The teens’ pastor, Ken Eastburn, said he didn’t have to talk the youths into participating in the project.

“They were excited about being involved,” he said. “They couldn’t wait to do the fasting and community service. It’s a totally selfless thing. That’s the best part, the fact that everything we’re doing this weekend benefits others.”

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Neil Ault, 18, said that through fasting and community service, he is better able to live his Christianity instead of just talking about it.

“I think about people in other countries who are suffering and dying of hunger,” he said. “And if I can help them even a little bit by doing something like this, I will always do it. Personally, I find that anything is possible with prayer. When I felt hungry today, I just prayed and God helped me to not feel the hunger.”

Others from Orange County participating in the 30-hour fast included youths from Hansarang Missionary Methodist Church of Buena Park, University High School in Irvine, Korean Church of Orange County in Buena Park and Mariners South Coast Church in Irvine.

World Vision is a privately funded international Christian relief and development agency working in 101 countries through more than 4,500 projects.