HispanicBusiness

According to a new World Vision study, conducted online earlier this month by Harris Interactive on behalf of World Vision, more than half of teens (56%) say social media sites (Facebook, Twitter) have made them more aware of the needs of others. This is a huge increase from 2011, when just over 4 in 10 (44%) said their use of social media made them more aware.

According to the online study, more than 2 in 3 teens (68%) say that, when it comes to helping those in need, adults don't do enough to set a positive example for teens. From now until April, some 200,000 teens will go hungry as part of World Vision's 30 Hour Famine (30HF) to raise funds and hunger awareness. 30HF has more than 31,000 Facebook friends. Since 1992, 30HF has raised more than $150 million to fight world hunger. This is the first time 30HF funds are being designated to fight hunger here in the United States. According to the survey, most teens feel it is primarily the responsibility of churches or other religious organizations (76%) to help address hunger in the local community, with as many as 2 in 3 teens (66%) also indicating that the responsibility lies with them.

The weekend, World Vision will give control of the 30HF website to teens across America so they can use social media to fight world hunger. While many will do 30HF in February, others participate April 26th, 27th. Teens go without food for 30 hours to get a taste of what the world's poorest children face. Prior to the event, teens raise funds by explaining that $1 can help feed and care for a child a day. Teens consume only water and juice as they participate in local community service projects at food banks and homeless shelters. Last year 30HF raised $9.8 million to fight hunger. This year's goal: $10.5 million.

Tonight, 870 million people worldwide will go to bed hungry. Nearly 19,000 children die each day from hunger and preventable diseases. Chronic poverty, affecting half the people on earth, is the cause. Nearly 3 billion people live on less than $2 a day. Funds raised this year for 30HF will be sent to 10 countries including Haiti, Burundi and the U.S. Some 30HF funds also address poverty here in the U.S. Info: 30hourfamine.org or facebook.com/wv30HF or call 800-7-FAMINE.