Each fall, WhyHunger teams up with supporters, celebrity ambassadors, and radio partners for the annual Hungerthon campaign. This year, WhyHunger’s Hungerthon spread awareness about the injustice at the root of hunger and raised over $1 Million to help connect people with nourishing food and provide funding, training, and other resources to grassroots organizations that are working to end hunger and its root causes across the U.S.
“We’re incredibly grateful for another successful Hungerthon campaign. This time-honored holiday tradition would not be possible without the steadfast support of our radio and celebrity partners, alongside the thousands of supporters who gave their hard-earned money to support our work,” said Jenique Jones, executive director at WhyHunger. “Food is a basic human right and thanks to this year’s campaign we are one step closer to making this framework a reality for all,”
WhyHunger’s 2024 Hungerthon campaign consisted of support from long-time radio partners including Audacy New York, SiriusXM and iHeartMedia New York, celebrity supporters, including Yoko Ono Lennon and Bruce Springsteen, and thousands of donors who contributed funds, bid on auction lots and shared the message of Hungerthon on social media.
Highlights of this year’s Hungerthon campaign included:
- Unique auction items and experiences donated by top celebrities and musicians on Charitybuzz. Top items included:
- Guest DJ virtually on SiriusXM's 1st Wave with Host Richard Blade & Receive Personalized Autobiography;
- Guest DJ on SiriusXM's Classic Vinyl with Rachel Steele in Cleveland, OH;
- Guest DJ on SiriusXM's ‘60s Gold in NYC or Virtually;
- Photo opportunity and sit-in on a “Jeff Lewis Live” show on SiriusXM’s Radio Andy;
- Bruce Springsteen Autographed 1952 Fender Reissue Telecaster Guitar;
- Co-Host the Al & Jerry Postgame Podcast on WFAN with Al Dukes & Jerry Recco in NYC; and
- Vespa with autographed seat by Kelly Clarkson, Jelly Roll, David Guetta, Kim Petras and more provided by iHeartMedia New York
- The live Hungerthon Day via radio partners at Audacy New York on stations including: WFAN (WFAN-FM/AM), WCBS 880 (WCBS-AM), 1010/92.3 WINS (WINS-AM/92.3 FM), 101.1 WCBS-FM (WCBS-FM), 94.7 The Block (WXBK-FM) and NEW 102.7 (WNEW-FM). The daylong pre-Thanksgiving event featured live broadcasts, interviews, auctions, matching gifts and more.
- Signature WhyHunger gifts, including a John Lennon Imagine There’s No Hunger Pullover Hoodie and Tee, a Bruce Springsteen “Darkness on the Edge of Town” Tee and Hat available at Hungerthon.org.
- The inaugural Amplified: A Hungerthon Kick Off Concert, which tapped into the transformative power of music with Eric Krasno & Friends featuring Ivan Neville, Tony Hall and Nikki Glaspie with special guests Celisse, Matisyahu, Emily King, Molly Tuttle and Robert Randolph, at Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
- Through dozens of interviews and on-air appearances, WhyHunger staff, Board and partners helped challenge the dominate narratives around hunger in the U.S. and highlight grassroots-led solutions. Two WhyHunger partners whose stories and local NYC solutions were featured in this year’s campaign include Neighbors Together (watch video or read the blog) and Urban Outreach Center NYC (watch the video or read the blog.)
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