Youth fight hunger in unique way

As the final seconds of a 30-hour fast approach at 11:30 p.m. on March 27, Libby teens raising money to help the hungry might just break into an animated countdown to the moment when they can stuff food into their mouths.

After all, their tummies will definitely be grumbling after a strict diet of juice and water.

Unfortunately, too many people around the globe live daily with hunger pains and no celebratory countdown exists 30 hours after their last meal. The local group hopes to raise as much money as possible to help people who try to survive on empty stomachs.

The contingent is made up of youth groups from the Christ Lutheran Church and the United Methodist Church in Libby. Naomi Nash and Deb Bond have served as adult organizers.

Nash said she has been impressed by locals who choose to contribute to such efforts. Tough economic times have hit and jobless rates are high in this part of the state. Still, many find a way to give.

“I don’t know what it is but this community digs deep to help,” Nash said. “We’ve been amazed at the response. Our church has been all over it and Deb at her church has had a great response.”

Last weekend during the Irish Fair, the teens raised money for their youth groups during the day but then decided to earmark funds during the evening concert for the fight against famine.

“We decided we were going to designate the funds at the concert and in 15 minutes, we made close to $300 on that alone,” Nash said, saying the youth sold coffee and cookies made by church members.

The World Vision effort is actually not new to the Libby-Troy area. Churches have participated in similar fundraising activities in the recent and far past. World Vision, a Christian humanitarian organization that fights poverty-related issues such as hunger, was founded in 1950. It serves people in 100 countries around the world, including the United States.

The 30-Hour Famine activity is now in its 19th year.

Groups that raise money can designate funds to go to certain areas. The Libby teens wanted to help those in need in Haiti. But on top of that, a percentage will also go to folks right here in northwestern Montana.

“We’ll talk more about that … it depends on how much we raise,” Nash said. “Right now, we have around $500 and our goal was $2,000.”

The group has silent auctions at both churches and other fundraising efforts continue. Motorists may have noticed the teens on Highway 2 in the Center Drug parking lot in recent weekends – creating a cardboard city indicative of how many homeless people live while washing windows for small donations.

“In that hour alone, we raised $45 to $50 – that’s just people driving by,” Nash said. “Some people give you a quarter, some give you $10.”

One fundraising idea that has caught attention involves a colorful toilet. Yes, the youth groups spraypainted an old toilet in the ugliest way possible.

“So far, it’s been a lot of teachers,” Nash said about victims of the attempt at artwork. “They pay to keep it off their yards.”

Three donation levels exist in connection with the toilet – $15 to buy insurance to keep it out of their yards, $10 to move the toilet to the next house and $5 to just get rid of it.

An upcoming activity will take the teens door to door to ask residents to either donate food to benefit Libby and Troy pantries or to donate money toward the 30-hour famine effort. Crosses will be placed on lawns to represent how many lives will be saved through contributions.

“We have a lot of adult leaders and moms that have taken this under their wing, too,” Nash said.

The 30-hour famine will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, March 26 and continues until 11:30 the following night. The youth groups have around 13 participants involved with the effort.

Fighting Famine

To help the Libby youth groups raise money for the cause, call Naomi Nash at 293-9092 or Deb Bond at 293-5785 to learn how to donate. A $30 donation can help feed and care for a child for a month.

For more information on the project as a whole, go online to: www.30hourfamine.org or call 800-7-FAMINE.