http://www.mjsite.comMusic News Cache

Default Large Email this story Print this story

Q-C teens get a 30-hour lesson on homeless living

By David Heitz | Comments(3)

Photos by Eric Sumberg/QUAD-CITY TIMES Richie Plocker, right, and Kirk Goetz, left, place their fingerprints Saturday on a sheet of paper until they, along with Avalon Woodard, Brian White, Nicole Nicholas and group leader Terry Plocher, had done this 29,000 times, a number that represented the number of people who die from hunger each day in the world. The group, representing members of youth groups from Asbury United Methodist Church and Community of Joy Methodist Church, both of Bettendorf, was participating in World Vision’s 30-Hour Famine, a fundraising and educational event where youths immerse themselves in hunger-related activites.

Youth pastor Terry Plocher of Asbury United Methodist Church in Bettendorf planned to “evict” members of the congregation’s youth group Saturday night so they could sleep in cardboard boxes in the parking lot of the church.

The move was part of a two-day retreat called World Vision’s 30-Hour Famine, locally for the youth groups of his church and Community of Joy United Methodist Church in Bettendorf. The young people planned to fast for 30 hours to get a feel for what it’s like to be impoverished.

In the process, they hope to collect donations for World Vision, an international relief association, as well as the homeless youth shelter operated by John Lewis Community Services in Davenport.

“We are a little sheltered here and we sometimes don’t realize how fortunate we are,” Plocher said. “I hope they come away from this with a renewed sense of gratitude for what they have and a sense of obligation to share what they have with those who have less.”

Seven teens began their fast at noon Saturday at the church after a “third world lunch,” Plocher said. The pastor chose a number and asked the youths to guess it. One teen who picked a number closest to Plocher’s received a fried chicken dinner. The others nibbled on rice or bread.

“It represents the different degrees of poverty,” he said of the meal. “The vast majority of people in the world don’t eat like we do.”

Also Saturday, the youths dipped their fingers in paint and placed their fingerprints on a long role of paper that extended through the church lobby and down into the basement. The prints — a total of 29,000 of them — represented people who die in the world each day of malnutrition.

With a threat of severe weather throughout the evening and overnight, Plocher said earlier in the day that if lightning occurs while the youths are camped out in their boxes, they would be allowed to come back into the church. Rain alone wouldn’t stop the project, however. He said the group would post signs in the parking lot enticing motorists to make a donation to the cause.

Although the group planned to refrain from eating until 6 p.m. today, they loaded up on juices to avoid dehydration.

“It’s a Christian tradition to spend time fasting and praying,” Plocher said. “Every dollar we get will feed a kid in a third world country for a day.”

Nicole Nicholas, 19, a member of Community of Joy Church, said she was startled by the number of people who die daily from hunger. “It’s insane. That’s extremely depressing.”

Brian White, 19, also from Community of Joy, agreed. “It would seem almost inconceivable.”

Both teens agreed that many area youths have no idea what it’s like to be homeless. “It’s hard to imagine when you’ve got a warm bed to sleep in every night,” Nicholas said.

Still, their night in the parking lot would be cozy compared to the conditions homeless people endure, Nicholas said. “Homeless people aren’t prepared. Most of us are going to have sleeping bags.”

The city desk can be contacted at (563) 383-2245 or newsroom@qctimes.com.

The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the views of the Quad-City Times or Lee Enterprises

another one wrote on March 17, 2006 8:50 AM:"FANTASTIC! You kids should be proud of yourselves. You've made a difference and that's anyone can expect of a person. Even those who make the attempt to do so should be proud of trying. I don't mean "beating yourselves on the chest" proud. Instead I mean the quiet pride of doing something that is good for others. You have be-friended many people who you didn't know."

*one of the kids* wrote on March 13, 2006 12:38 PM:"To answer your question yes. We raised over $1500 combined for world hunger and homelessness! We still have plans for more collecting. If you'd like to help, contact Terry Plocher at Asbury United Methodist Church, 563-355-5218. Thanks for all the support!"

another one wrote on March 12, 2006 8:55 AM:"I've read of teens sleeping in cardboard boxes many times. They learn some valuable lessons. One night in the boxes, during any sort of weather, gives them an insight normally not available. I used to volunteer at thrift shop in Davenport. It was run by a variety of churches. The main goal for us working there was to make life better for those we could. Often people would come in looking for things they could use for themselves or their children. One man wanted to buy an umbrella which we had marked for fifty cents. One of the women there put it back and tagged it with his name. He had collected cans to make the money to purchase it. This man had pride, he wouldn't take a reduction in the price nor would he accept it as a gift. The use he had? To cover the top of the shelter he'd built. The spring rains kept coming in. His history included being in different mental institutions over a variety of years. Did the kids who slept in the boxes received much money to help? Any amount would be a blessing. Good for them to be willing to do this. "

Q-C teens get a 30-hour lesson on homeless living

» Post a comment Thank you for your comments! Once your comments are approved, they will appear on the site.

More Stories

Poll