This year marks 50 years since WhyHunger was founded with a mission to create a world without hunger and advance the right to nutritious food for all.
Looking back at five decades, it’s equally important to uplift the lessons we’ve learned as it is to celebrate our impact.
From the early days of co-founders Harry Chapin and Bill Ayres asking the “why” questions around the kitchen table to supporting global social movements driving change through the actions of millions – WhyHunger has seen the evolution of the fight for food justice and food sovereignty.
Here are 5 lessons we’ve learned over 50 years.
1. Follow the lead of the people most impacted.
No one is more invested in solving hunger than the communities most impacted by food insecurity and the injustices at its root. And no one is better equipped to inform and create the solutions. Far too often, it is external experts or trends used to drive efforts for social impact. When local leaders and people with lived experience are ready, willing and able to share their knowledge and implement their solutions. Communities need access to plentiful resources, allies who will galvanize around their leadership and a level playing field.
2. Hunger is not inevitable.
We know that there is already enough food to feed us all and the knowledge to sustainably produce food that is healthy for people and our planet. A world without hunger is possible and we can build it together. We have already seen it in practice in communities around the globe that have prioritized the right to food, justice and sustainability.
3. Everyone has a stake in this work and a role to play.
Ending hunger is not a job for someone else. It requires all of us to play an active role in supporting the movement for food justice: as advocates, business leaders, youth, creatives, donors, musicians, voters, and volunteers. We all have voice, time, talents, and resources to contribute in some way. A just food future means healthy, abundant food for everyone and a food system that nourishes us all.
4. Address root causes, not just symptoms.
By digging deeper, we are able to move beyond food charity and emergency food relief to address the injustices at the root of hunger and transform our food system long-term. The ultimate goal of ending hunger isn’t about feeding people—it’s about equipping them to nourish themselves. The true solution to hunger is found in food justice: dignity, rights and equity at all points of the food system.
5. We will never give up hope.
Even during the most tumultuous times when hunger is on the rise, there is always hope. Hope for a just, hunger-free world. We see it in the powerful global social movements of small-scale food producers and Indigenous peoples hundreds of millions strong; in the music and lyrics of our artist activist partners like Harry Chapin, Bruce Springsteen, and Yola; in the Black and Indigenous farmers and co-ops nourishing their communities and building food sovereignty. We see it in the commitment of our dedicated staff, Board and supporters – 50 years strong and never backing down.
Above all, we remain grateful for the incredible WhyHunger community we’ve built together over the last 50 years.
Thank you to all our staff, grassroots partners, artist activists, donors, volunteers, Board members, supporters and friends who have made these last five decades of impact possible. We invite you to continue to find new ways to live your ‘why’ and bring the issues you care about to life through WhyHunger.
Learn more about how to support WhyHunger’s next chapter at: whyhunger.org/50-years
