If someone came through Eastern and randomly chose 200 students who would no longer get food, no one would want to be one of those 200.

Who gets to decide who gets food and who doesn’t? I know I wouldn’t want someone to decide that for me.

Unfortunately, with population continuing to increase, the famine and food problems aren’t getting any better.

The way our world functions is by having some countries and areas that are lower developed and live in famine. We never really think of it this way, but in order for us to survive and have food, others have to go hungry and die.

It is unfortunate and very sad when we think about it, but we wouldn’t be able to control the population if this didn’t happen.

But who gets to decide what areas prosper and who survives? Why do we get to live so nicely while others starve?

If everyone on Eastern’s campus did a little to help those in famine, a big difference would be made. A group of high school students in southern Illinois were able to raise $7,000 by fasting for 30 hours.

Going 30 hours without eating is hardly anything compared to the benefits that came from doing this. Nationwide, more than 300,000 students participated in the fast, and $11 million was raised.

$11 million is a lot! People in the United States and overseas were given this money to go toward food. One of smaller groups of students was able to feed three children for a year from their fast.

The students who did this fast were able to do a small task in order to help a huge problem. If everyone on Eastern’s campus participated in something like this, even more money could be given to help those who are going hungry.

Those 30 hours of not eating were able to help children who don’t know when, or if, they will get to eat another meal. At least after the 30-hour fast, those students knew they would have food on the table.

Famine is a huge problem in the world, and even in our own country. We can do small tasks that are able to make a huge impact on others lives.

We wouldn’t want someone to decide if we were going to get food again, so we should help before a problem becomes too widespread and out of hand.

To learn more about the 30-Hour Famine, go to 30hourfamine.org.

Abby Allgire, is a senior journalism major. She can be reached at 581-7942 or at

DENopinions@gmail.com.