CEDAR CITY – The Iron County 4-H Teen Council will join groups all over the world in the fight to end hunger and poverty by taking part in a 30-Hour Famine on Friday and Saturday.

The students will refrain from eating anything for 30 hours over the two day period while participating in service projects and other activities. Beginning at noon on Friday, 15 volunteers will fast until 6 p.m. on Saturday evening.

The students have been working getting sponsorships and donors to raise funds that will go directly to the World Vision Organization to help kids in Haiti and other struggling countries around the world.

“We have a goal to raise $800,” Bryan Hernandez, 4-H Teen Council chair, said.

According to the 30-Hour Famine website, 25,000 children under the age of 5 die every day from preventable causes like hunger, yet it only takes about $30 to feed a child for a month – $1 per day. The Iron County 4-H Teen Council will be feeding lots of kids with the money they raise by participating in the 30-Hour Famine.

The 15 volunteers will spend Friday doing service projects around the community, at the Happy Factory and doing yard work and other tasks for community members.

On Saturday the participating students will be hosting an activity day at the Iron County Utah State University Extension Office, 585 N. Main St. in Cedar City, from noon to 4 p.m. The Teen Council hopes to raise more funds toward its goal by offering carnival games, a bake sale and entertainment in the parking lot, Hernandez said.

The participating teens will end their 30-Hour Famine on Saturday evening with a dinner where they will be able to get together and discuss their experiences, Hernandez said.

Any community members who are interested in donating can call 586-8132 for more information or can plan on attending the activity day on Saturday, Feb. 26 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Extension Office.