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Consistent Charitable Givers, American Teens Gear Up for 30-Hour Famine
Charitable giving has remained relatively consistent since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, according to the Gallup Organization’s annual “Lifestyle Survey,” reflecting patterns in Americans’ charitable giving, which was released yesterday. The survey’s results revealed that 82 percent of Americans had given money to charitable organizations in 2003, a “modest decline” from the 86 percent who donated in 2001. Donations of both time and money seemed to directly correlate to family income and those who donated to religious organizations tended, not surprisingly, to express more personal religious devotion.
Some of the most unsung donors are teenagers involved in programs like World Vision’s 30-Hour Famine. More than one half million American teenagers each year donate their time – and their comfort – by going without food for 30 hours and raising pledges for World Vision’s hunger programs worldwide.
Through nationwide Famine programs, usually run through church youth groups, teens spend their 30 hours with other participants, learning about world hunger issues and doing local community service projects such as serving at community soup kitchens and visiting patients at assisted living facilities.
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