"Under the Overpass" Author Goes Two Days Without Food in Seattle, February 23rd-24th 

Contact: John Yeager, 253-815-2356, 425-765-9845 cell; Karen Kartes, 253-815-2163, 206-351-4315 cell; both with World Vision

SEATTLE, Feb. 15 /Christian Newswire/ -- Homeless advocate, Mike Yankoski, author of the groundbreaking book, "Under the Overpass" (Multnomah Publishers) will appear at one the Pacific Northwest's largest churches - Overlake Christian Church in Redmond, Washington as part of World Vision's 30 Hour Famine nationwide campaign, fasting 30 hours with hundreds of area youth to support World Vision.

In 2005, Yankoski temporarily dropped out of college to live on the streets of six American cities. His goal was to better understand the hunger and despair that millions of homeless experience every day. Depending on the generosity of strangers, Mike's five-month odyssey was eye opening, life threatening and ultimately inspirational. Today, Yankoski challenges youth to live a life of faith and significance.

Worldwide, hunger and preventable diseases claim the lives of 29,000 the world's children a day. Right now, 852 million people are hungry. Nearly 3 billion people worldwide live on less than $2 a day.

This February 23rd-24th, half a million American teens will participate in the 16th annual 30 Hour Famine, forsaking food for 30 hours to get a taste of what the world's poor face everyday.  Prior to the event weekend, teens raise funds by explaining that $30 a month can feed and care for a child for a month. Energized with compassion rather than food during their fast, 30 HF groups (representing schools, churches, youth and civic organizations) consume only water and fruit juices focusing on hands-on community assistance as they coordinate food drives, serve in soup kitchens, or assist in homeless shelters.

30 HF funds help feed and care for children in poverty-afflicted countries. 30 HF funds contribute to World Vision's response in areas where famine, conflict, and other crises make children vulnerable to hunger and preventable disease. "The 30 Hour Famine has a lasting impact, not just on the children receiving food but on participants who view their own potential to affect change," said Debbie Diederich, national director of the World Vision 30 Hour Famine. "Since 1992, 30 Hour Famine has raised more than $80 million, representing countless saved lives."

Last year, 30 HF raised $11.6 million, this year's goal - $12 million. World Vision works in 100 countries, helping 100 million people every year. Visit www.30hourfamine.org or call 800-7-FAMINE.   

World Vision is a Christian relief and development organization dedicated to helping children and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty.  World Vision serves the world's poor regardless of a person's religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.  For more information, visit www.worldvision.org.