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A teenager at St. Mary Parish in Chandler waits out the 30-hour famine in 2008.

At least 30 teenagers (middle and high school) at Christ the King Parish in Mesa will take the Lenten idea of fasting a step farther this weekend: they won’t eat for 30 hours.

Thousands of teenagers from at least nine other Catholic parishes in Arizona and 51 other churches in the state plus more across the country are joining them as part of the 18th annual 30-hour famine. Organized by World Vision, the idea is for the youth to recruit sponsors for every hour they fast during the famine. Proceeds help fight hunger worldwide where some 14,000 people die daily from starvation or malnutrition.

A mere $30 can feed and care for one child for one month, said Alyssa Reinke, coordinator of youth ministry at Christ the King. This marks the parish’s first famine. The junior high students will fast on their own, but the high school students will do so during a camp out at the parish. Last year, youth at St. Mary Parish in Chandler, created cardboard homes to create a “starving and homeless” feel.

“It really fit where our teens are at,” Reinke said of the event. “They’re developing a missionary-like feel.”

The youth are not alone. Nearly seven out of 10 parents in a recent World Vision survey said the current economy has made their teens “more aware of the needs of others.” 

The Mesa teens will end their fast by dressing as saints and serving dinner to fellow parishioners.

Roughly 50 youth at St. Paul Parish raised more than $18,000 during last year’s famine. They’ll try to do that again when they hold their own famine March 27-28.

“Hunger doesn’t take a break,” Brian Cannon, youth minister said. He added that his teens struggle to see how they fit into the world and God’s creation. The famine allows them to embrace Catholic social teaching, he said.

“They are able to take an active role in providing a preferential option for the poor and they stand in solidarity with their brothers and sisters across the world,” Cannon said. “They are empowered to bring Christ’s light into dark places and they can see the difference that light makes.”