"food charity" news and stories

As we all get ready to sit down to a belly-bulging turkey dinner this Thursday with the ones we love, it's also time to remember the holiday is about giving thanks.

But during these tough economic times, many people will get their meals this holiday season from food banks and soup kitchens. Volunteering to charitable causes in a time of abundance gives others a reason to give back.

Find out how you can help after the jump.

Back in 1971 a young girl and 14 friends staged a "starve-in" in a church basement in Calgary. Their aim was to bring attention to the plight of starving African children. They raised $600 and donated the money to World Vision, a child-focused aid organization. Little did those kids realize that 35 years later the World Vision 30 Hour Famine would attract 150,000 Canadian teens and raise millions of dollars.

In 2005, they raised $4.1 million. The 30 Hour Famine is now held in 15 countries (Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States). By going without solid food for 30 hours, participants experience for just over one day what many children face every day of their lives. Awareness is raised about conditions in developing countries while raising much needed funds for programs that tackle the root causes of poverty.

This year, World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine will be held on April 7 and 8, 2006.

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