Youths to learn perils of hunger.

Byline: Traci Shurley

Feb. 21--Tori Randall, 13, isn't homeless and doesn't live in a famine-stricken land, but last year, the Young Junior High student experienced what it's like to go hungry for more than a day. This weekend, she'll do it again. Randall and about 40 other students from St. Barnabas United Methodist Church and Grace Presbyterian Church of Arlington will gather at St. Barnabas on Friday night to participate in the 30 Hour Famine for World Vision. The fundraiser is part of a nationwide event to benefit the Christian humanitarian group. Randall has raised about $100 in sponsorships from friends and family. She said learning about life in developing countries during last year's event opened her eyes. "We're just kind of obsessed with our own lives; we really don't think of what's going on there," she said. "It really does put things in perspective." Each day, 18,000 children die worldwide because of hunger and malnutrition, according to information provided by World Vision. Since it began in 1992, the 30 Hour Famine has raised more than $80 million for the organization. Besides fasting, the kids at St. Barnabas will take part in educational games to learn more about the people World Vision helps. At night, they'll sleep in cardboard boxes in the church's activity center. Then, on Saturday, the group will participate in community service projects before gathering for a fast-breaking feast at 6 p.m. The event is a "juice fast," meaning that the teenagers are provided clear juices to keep their strength up, organizers said. World Vision hopes to raise about $12 million nationally through famine events this year. The organization estimates that about 6,500 youths in the Metroplex will participate in 30 Hour Famine activities this weekend and into the spring. Because of scheduling conflicts this weekend, some area ...