The twenty-six high school students who starved themselves for the better part of 24 hours came through the experience a little bit hungry, but more aware of the impact that continual hunger has on millions worldwide. They also raised just more than $900 to support organizations battling famine and poor water quality in some of the world’s least developed areas.

“The kids did really well,” said teacher organizer Sandy Cox, who helped the ACTION club members arrange the Starveathon held earlier this month. The group had hoped for a larger turnout, but with soccer season getting underway, many would-be fasters decided not to participate because they had games to play that weekend, Cox said.

Still, the group that did deprive themselves had a chance to hear tales from the front lines of the war on poverty, including a hands-on demonstration from Engineers without Borders. Those assembled had to husk rice in order to receive credits, according to a system devised by the presenter. The exercise gave students and adults alike a good idea of just how difficult it can be to make enough money to survive in a Third World economy, Cox said.

Despite the enormity of the problem, Cox thinks that the young participants left motivated to do more to help.

“I don’t think they were depressed about it, but we left energized a bit by the fact that youth have the power to change things.”

Next year, the club plans to share some of the knowledge they gained through the event with the rest of the school, and they hope to host another Starveathon, likely in November.