Simpson students will be joining students from around the United States in the World Vision 30-Hour Famine – a project that has taken on a new purpose this year.

This year the money raised by participants of the project will go to the people of Afghanistan according to freshman and co-leader of the service project, April Hurt.

“This year through World Vision we’re raising money for families of Afghanistan,” Hurt said.

The participants have several things they are doing before going hungry for 30 hours on Feb. 22 and 23.

“We have some community service projects we are doing right now. We are going to the Catholic Worker House in Des Moines, and we are looking into helping at a soup kitchen,” Hurt said.

When the 30-hour famine itself begins, participants will gather in Dirlam Lounge, and they will have activities to keep them busy. After the 30 hours the group will sit down for a lasagna dinner.

According to Hurt, the group will have opportunities to stay busy so they don’t have think about their hunger.

“We are planning to have lots of games and a scavenger hunt throughout Indianola,” said Hurt.

For a financial goal this year, the group plans to collect nearly $100 per person participating. Hurt said the money collected is sent to World Vision, with 83 percent going directly to families in Afghanistan.

If you are interested in raising awareness of world hunger and would like to participate in 30-Hour Famine or make a donation, contact April Hurt or Heidi Jo Guyer. Those interested may also sign up in Smith Chapel by Feb. 15. Hurt said a total of 20 participants are expected this year.

What makes a person want to go 30 hours without food when they do not have to? According to freshman and former participant Miranda Lund, it is a memorial to the children who have died of starvation.

“I have done 30-Hour Famine in the past and I think that it’s a really great way to remember all of the thousands of kids who die from starvation and malnutrition each day,” said Lund. “By raising money through donations we can do a great deal for those children.”