Five Sammamish churches are teaming up this weekend to teach local students what it means to be hungry.

Faith United Methodist Church director of student ministry Cody Charland expects 200 sixth through 12th graders to participate in the 30-hour famine event, which will begin Friday evening.

“That’s the biggest piece of this: the hunger experience,” Charland said.

The Pine Lake Covenant Church, Sammamish Presbyterian Church, Mary Queen of Peace, Sammamish Hills Lutheran Church and Faith United Methodist Church adopted World Vision’s 30-hour famine program as a way to teach local students empathy for others living in poverty.

World Vision is a far-reaching Christian humanitarian organization focused on tackling the causes of poverty and injustice, especially regarding children and families.

The program helps raise awareness and funds to fight hunger worldwide.

Students who wish to participate in the 30-hour famine event are to check-in at Pine Lake Covenant Church off of 228th Avenue Southeast at 5:15 p.m. Friday. Admission costs $15. Participants are not to eat anything after breakfast Friday morning.

Students and chaperones will march in solidarity at 7 p.m. to Sammamish Presbyterian Church where everyone will hunker in for the night.

Originally there was some discussion to have the students construct cardboard homes, as a way to experience homelessness. This is one activity World Vision mentions on its website.

But Charland said that was not an appropriate lesson to teach students. He said it is inaccurate to portray homeless people in cardboard boxes.

Instead, since many homeless sleep in tents, Charland said participants can bring camping gear and pitch a tent in front of the church.

Everyone must bring some kind of sleeping gear. It will not be provided.

The canned food drive will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday. Students and chaperones will venture through the neighborhoods canvassing for donations.

Donations will go to the Issaquah and Carnation Food Banks, Charland said.

The fast ends at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Anyone can participate in the event; students do not have to be affiliated with a participating church. Attendees do not have to preregister.

Water and juice will be available throughout the Friday and Saturday.

Electronic devices, including music players and cell phones, are not permitted during the event, according to the registration forms.