Contact: Amy Parodi, News Director, World Vision, 253-709-3190, aparodi@worldvision.org

SEATTLE, Feb. 20, 2014 /Christian Newswire/ -- More than 60,000 teenagers from some 3,000 churches will rally this weekend to fight hunger and trafficking through World Vision's 30 Hour Famine and new "Childhood Lost" events.

"Youth are an incredibly powerful community," says Leah Swindon, World Vision's national director for youth mobilization. "These issues are new to many of them, but they so often respond with passion -- and with action. Every year we see them make the world a bit better because of their commitment to bringing change."

The 30 Hour Famine, now in its 23rd year, will bring together tens of thousands of teenagers who will devote a weekend to fasting, prayer and service to fight hunger. Forgoing food for 30 hours, teens spend a weekend, usually at a church, learning about the impact of hunger on children around the world and volunteering in their own communities.

Most prepare for the event by raising money for World Vision food and nutrition programs. In fact, participating teens raised more than $8 million last year to fight hunger through World Vision. Since its start in 1992, teens have raised nearly $170 million through participation in the 30 Hour Famine event.

This year, World Vision also launched a new experience event to raise awareness and resources to fight child trafficking around the world. The experience, called "Childhood Lost," will revolve around a series of vigils during which students learn about trafficking around the world and solutions that World Vision is implementing to prevent trafficking before children are forced to become soldiers, laborers and sex workers.

While groups may participate in the 30 Hour Famine and Childhood Lost at any time, suggested national dates for the Famine include this weekend as well as April 25-26.

Live tweets, videos, and Instagram posts from Famine groups across the country can be found at www.30hourfamine.org.

About World Vision:
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. For more information, please visit www.WorldVision.org/press or follow us on Twitter @WorldVisionNews.