BEIJING -- A Chinese foundation launched a 24-hour hunger challenge on social media on Friday to mark the 40th World Food Day.

Participants in the challenge are encouraged to abstain from eating for 24 hours, before the end of Saturday, which is also China's annual poverty-relief day, according to the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation.

To qualify for the event, participants must be able to fast for the full 24-hour period without any adverse effect on their health.

With the theme of "experiencing hunger, cherishing food and stopping waste," the challenge is designed to raise public awareness of the importance of food and promote thrift in food consumption, said the foundation.

It is working with several popular social media platforms and internet portals to engage more people in the event.