Local teens from Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, 13760 McKenna Road, will participate in the 16th annual 30-hour famine during the weekend of Feb. 23 to 24.

Prior to the event, teens involved will raise funds for the cause, participate in food drives, serve soup in soup kitchens and assist workers in homeless shelters.

The Shepherd of the Lake teens will participate in a hands-on service project of packing meals for “Feed My Starving Children” with other area churches.

Shepherd of the Lake will host a community fund-raiser for the 30-hour famine on Saturday, Feb. 17.

At 10:30 a.m. a Mardi Gras Festival will take place at the church, where people can learn about “Fat Tuesday,” participate in a Mardi Gras parade, cake walk, booths and pancake feed. Costumes are encouraged. The cost is $5 for adults and $2.50 for children.

Shepherd of the Lake will host a Mardi Gras community dance featuring free swing-dancing lessons, from 7 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 17. The cost of the community dance is $7 in advance and $9 at the door.

Look for more information about the 30-hour famine event with interviews from students and event organizers in this week’s Prior Lake American.