Frequently Asked Questions about WHY
What does WHY stand for?
Literally, WHY stands for World Hunger Year. Harry Chapin, the late singer-songwriter and co-founder of WHY, continually asked questions about why hunger and poverty existed. Why are people hungry when there is an excess of food? Why are people hungry in the U.S., the most affluent country in the world? The acronym WHY came before the full name of the organization - World Hunger Year. The idea is that every year is World Hunger Year.
How is WHY unique in the fight against hunger and poverty?
WHY is convinced that solutions to hunger and poverty can be found at the grassroots level. WHY advances long-term solutions to hunger and poverty by supporting grassroots organizations that empower individuals and build self-reliance, i.e., offering job training, education and after school programs; increasing access to housing and healthcare; providing microcredit and entrepreneurial opportunities; teaching people to grow their own food; and assisting small farmers. WHY connects these organizations to funders, media and legislators.
How can you help?
Ending hunger and poverty is a doable and winnable task. It requires a combination of strengthening federal programs and supporting organizations that are solving the problems of hunger and poverty in their own communities.
