A group of about 30 young people from local United Methodist churches are sleeping in cardboard boxes and going hungry this weekend.

The project, called the 30 Hour Famine, is sponsored by World Vision. The young people raised money to participate, which will help the organization eliminate hunger in foreign countries. But the young people will also collect food and serve at community meals to benefit people right here in Suffolk.

Most importantly, they are learning about the vast world out there, youth leaders said this week.

“We’re getting these kids to understand there is more going on than just ourselves,” said Mark Popik, a youth leader assistant at Main Street United Methodist Church.

The event is being held at Main Street, but youth from Beech Grove and Magnolia United Methodist churches also are participating.

“We’re only doing this for 30 hours,” said Zach Balint, a King’s Fork High School student who is participating. “You realize kids in other countries do this every single day.”

The fast began with the kids’ lunch at school on Friday and will continue until 6:30 p.m. Saturday. They are allowed to have fluids to stay hydrated, and a variety of activities will help take their minds off the hunger pangs, such as movies and games.

However, other activities planned during the 30 hours are designed to remind the youth just how blessed they are.

On Friday evening, the youth helped serve Rose’s Community Supper, which is held at Main Street the fourth Friday of every month. Saturday, they were again scheduled to help serve food, this time at the Salvation Army soup kitchen, without being able to partake themselves. In addition, the youth will collect food for ForKids.

Back at the church, a scavenger hunt will help remind them of the problems endured by those living in other countries. The youth will be separated into teams and go on a scavenger hunt, but each must do so while simulating a disability — blindness or not being able to use their hands, for example — that makes life especially hard in a foreign country.

Around 6:30 p.m. Saturday, the young people will take communion and then break their fast with a meal planned just for them.

The young people have a goal to raise $2,500 through the project. They raised nearly half before it even began. Youth coordinator Phil McPhail said the group has raised about $10,000 combined in its previous years of participating in the project.

“It’s definitely moving,” said Lillie Birdsong, a Windsor High School student who has participated in past years and planned to do so again this year. “It makes you want to raise money all year long for it.”

Popik said the best thing about the event is that it helps people all over the globe.

“We get to affect not just what’s happening around the world, but our own people right here in town,” he said.