On a cold February day in 1971, Ruth Roberts and a small group of friends did something decidedly uncharacteristic for a group of teenagers — they staged a ‘starve-in’ to raise awareness of the plight of Ethiopian children.
With only 12-15 participants and just $600 raised, the event began humbly enough but soon gained momentum when World Vision Canada took over and turned it into the international fundraising event it is today. The ‘starve-in’ changed to the 30 Hour Famine and over the years has raised $1 billion to help fight hunger in impoverished nations.
How it all began
The idea occurred to Roberts after seeing images of Ethiopians suffering from malnutrition, resulting in bloated stomachs and yellowed hair. It prompted her to ask her friends, “Has anyone here ever gone hungry?” The answer was a resounding “No.” Curious to gain a better understanding of what it would be like, they decided to make an event of it at a local church in Calgary.
All that was left to do was prepare. They arranged to have representatives come in from World Vision Canada to speak during the starve-in and received sponsorships from friends, family and church members. The money that was raised ($600) all went to the organization.
The fast began at 7 pm on a Friday and ended at 7 am on Sunday. Over that period, all they consumed was water and orange juice.
“Anybody can do it; all I had going for me was my outgoing personality,” says Roberts.
And that’s really all it took.
The 30 Hour Famine today
The 30 Hour Famine has grown on an international scale to include 21 participating countries. According to World Vision’s 101 Famine Guide, the number of children who die each year from hunger has dropped from 40,000 to less than 18,000 in the last two decades thanks to the efforts of 30 Hour Famine participants, as well as the efforts of like-minded groups.
As for Ruth, she is happy to report that her legacy lives on through her children and grandchildren; all of whom have participated in the famine at one point or another. She received the Heroes for Children award from World Vision Canada for her part in starting the event.
Roberts’ advice for other local fundraisers seeking inspiration is never to ignore “that initial heart-stirring moment when something bothers you so much you have to do something.”
Small-time fundraisers can mirror Ruth’s passion — take a local event and catapult it into something grand; something that can touch the lives of thousands of people.
Michelle Jondreau is a communications professional with an avid interest in all things HR. On top of that, she hails from the non-profit world and as such has a keen understanding of sector trends and issues. Follow her @majondreau.
