For all press inquiries, please contact:
[email protected],
Debbie DePoala at [email protected] or 212-629-0853

WhyHunger’s Jenique Jones breaks down food justice, policy, and queer leadership. When Jenique Jones talks about hunger, she doesn’t start with statistics. She starts with memory. In an exclusive conversation,…
May 01, 2026
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Millions of women and children are at risk of losing food benefits during the shutdown. The USDA just killed the long-running survey that would track the fallout. The federal government…
October 10, 2025
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Harry Chapin's #1 hit "Cat's In the Cradle," from 1974, may be one of the most powerful songs ever written about fatherhood. It tells the tale of a very busy…
June 15, 2025
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WhyHunger is recognizing the philanthropic efforts of Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo with the ASCAP Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award. The duo will be honored at the 50th anniversary of the…
March 27, 2025
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Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo are set to receive the 2025 ASCAP Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award at the annual Chapin Awards Gala on June 4 at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s…
March 27, 2025
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On Oct. 15, the thrum of pounding acoustics overtook Irving Plaza in honor of nonprofit WhyHunger’s second annual Amplified concert: A night of music aimed to raise funds to combat…
October 22, 2024
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WhyHunger hosted its second annual Amplified concert at Irving Plaza in New York City. The night served a dual purpose beyond a well-contrived lineup of talent who took the stage…
October 21, 2024
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WhyHunger, a non-profit organization working to end hunger and the injustices that cause it – held its 2nd annual Amplified concert Presented by EY on October 15 at NYC’s Irving…
October 17, 2024
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Black Thought of The Roots performs onstage during WhyHunger’s Amplified: Annual Hungerthon Kickoff Concert Presented by EY at Irving Plaza on October 15, 2024 in New York City. October 15,…
October 15, 2024
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WhyHunger, a non-profit working to end hunger, is launching its Hungerthon fundraising campaign with its second annual Amplified concert. It happens on October 15 at Irving Plaza, with The Roots,…
October 10, 2024
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The grassroots movement to end hunger through community solutions rooted in social, environmental, racial and economic justice. Jenique Jones, Executive Director of the New York-based WhyHunger talks about the efforts…
October 05, 2024
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WhyHunger has announced Amplified Presented by EY, its second annual concert kick-off to mark the start of its 39th edition of the Hungerthon fund-raising campaign. August 29, 2024 Read more.
August 29, 2024
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WhyHunger, a non-profit working to end world hunger and the injustices that cause it, has announced its second annual “Amplified: Annual Hungerthon Kickoff Concert.” The Roots and guitarist Grace Bowers…
August 29, 2024
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On Wednesday, Nov. 2, the nonprofit organization WhyHunger hosted its inaugural Amplified benefit concert at the Brooklyn Bowl in New York City. The event, committed to eradicating hunger and poverty,…
November 02, 2023
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WhyHunger’s Amplified Hungerthon Kickoff Concert was held at Brooklyn Bowl in New York City on Wednesday night. The benefit for the non-profit organization working to end world hunger and the…
November 02, 2023
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The WhyHunger Team has shared that it has teamed up with Tedeschi Trucks Band to offer fans a chance to win an unforgettable day with Tedeschi Trucks Band members, along…
September 06, 2023
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"The answers are in the farmers' hands," said Betty Fermin, co-director of the Global Movements Program at the nonprofit WhyHunger. "They're making sure they have seeds that are better quality,…
September 01, 2023
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Kristen Wyman, co-director of global movements at the nonprofit WhyHunger, told Axios that even though disaster recovery ushers in a "mass movement" around aid, long-term solutions — like restoration of…
August 21, 2023
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Lorrie Clevenger, senior co-director of U.S. programs at WhyHunger, a nonprofit focusing on solutions to hunger, says she’s troubled that with the COVID-19 emergency ending, there’s a return to old…
June 26, 2023
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Patricia Rojas, a New York City-based hotline and database manager at anti-hunger nonprofit WhyHunger, said that more people are calling in to get access to food pantries due to higher…
February 06, 2023
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"State action in particular would help push Congress to adopt a national right to food, said Noreen Springstead, executive director of WhyHunger, a non-profit organization that advocates for healthy food…
October 04, 2022
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““I will say it is a very ambitious goal to end hunger by 2030,” Noreen Springstead, executive director of WhyHunger, a New York-based global organization, told VOA via Zoom. “There's…
September 28, 2022
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"Noreen Springstead, executive director of the anti-hunger organization WhyHunger, said the whole-of-government nature of the summit will hopefully produce greater alignment across the multiple federal agencies that deal with hunger…
September 27, 2022
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“’We know that 50 years of chronic hunger in America demonstrates that this crisis is caused by low wages, worker exploitation along the food chain, structural racism, and policies that…
September 27, 2022
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“Noreen Springstead, executive director of anti-hunger organization WhyHunger, is hopeful the conference will produce lasting results, but said unless there is a “massive paradigm shift,” it’s hard to see how…
September 27, 2022
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By Abby J. Leibman and Noreen Springstead, Opinion Contributors With nearly 12 percent of Americans struggling to put food on the table, food insecurity in America is clearly a national…
July 15, 2022
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The offerings include Byrne and Yo La Tengo covering “Who Has Seen the Wind?,” Deerhoof doing “No, No, No” and Japanese Breakfast trying “Nobody Sees Me Like You Do.” A…
February 17, 2022
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WhyHunger advocates for food as a human right, not a privilege. The organization strives to end hunger through community-led solutions and social movements. WhyHunger views hunger as a systemic issue;…
November 29, 2021
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Co-written by Wendy Heipt, a human rights attorney and a member of the board of WhyHunger, a nonprofit founded in 1975 by the late musician Harry Chapin and Radio DJ…
November 07, 2021
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(WhyHunger Find Food Database mentioned on list of ways to give back) With everything going on this year, this is the perfect time to take a breather and think about…
November 04, 2021
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The nonprofit WhyHunger called the vote “a transformative step in ensuring the protection of food as an unequivocal basic human right." "It is our hope that this historic amendment and…
November 03, 2021
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Over 100 drummers, including Ringo Starr have teamed up for a new cover of The Beatles' Come Together as part of WhyHunger's Drum Together campaign.
October 07, 2021
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WhyHunger’s work has taken on a new urgency during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has drastically increased rates of hunger and poverty around the world. For Max Cameron, the charitable component of the project…
October 06, 2021
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Beatles drummer Ringo Starr is part of a massive, all-star group of the world's greatest skin pounders who've gathered for a cover of his band's "Come Together" for a good…
October 05, 2021
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“It’s incredibly rewarding to be a part of such a unique collaboration for an important cause,” Max Cameron tells Rolling Stone in an email. “There’s nothing like the power of…
October 04, 2021
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In the last 50 years, “a whole industry has developed around charitable feeding, yet we’ve barely pushed below the 12 percent food insecurity rate,” said Alison Cohen, WhyHunger’s senior director…
June 08, 2021
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Watch the video: By some estimates, four out of five Americans are one paycheck away from needing to rely on a food bank. Alison Cohen with the group WhyHunger says…
May 27, 2021
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Even before Covid exposed the precarious nature of many families’ food budgets, hunger relief organizations were beginning to realize they needed to do more than distribute food to end food…
May 25, 2021
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Watch the video: As a community gardener herself and director of food programs for the nonprofit WhyHunger, Suzanne Babb has been advocating for more funding for community gardens. "A community…
April 09, 2021
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“Tonight CBS presents Play On: Celebrating The Power Of Music To Make Change at 8:00PM ET/PT. Hosted by Kevin Bacon, this special will raise money for WhyHunger as well as…
December 15, 2020
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“Play On is a benefit for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund and WhyHunger as viewers will be able to donate by texting “PLAYON” to 44-321 during the special.…
December 14, 2020
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“Known as Chat for Charity, the new partnership between Bonsai and WhyHunger – which is dedicated to ending hunger and its root causes in the U.S. and around the world…
December 01, 2020
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“Rounding out a season of giving, Minneapolis-based ADX Foundation donates $30,000 to WhyHunger for hunger alleviation. The ADX Foundation is the charitable arm of Minneapolis-based company ADX Labs, Inc. The…
November 24, 2020
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Covid-19 made our food system more vulnerable. Turns out it also generated massive amounts of waste.
“Food diverted to charities is at the highest point in two decades, added Alison Cohen, a program director at WhyHunger. She says that access to food is a function of…
November 20, 2020
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“Emmy-award winning actress, comedian and author, Tiffany Haddish has teamed up with Vitafusion Gummy Vitamins to support Whyhunger’s Hungerthon!”
November 18, 2020
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“Swift autographed a folklore-themed guitar for WhyHunger's 35th Hungerthon drive, which aims, among the COVID-19 pandemic, to end hunger and advance the human right to nutritious food in the U.S.…
November 18, 2020
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“For Noreen Springstead, executive director at WhyHunger, a national nonprofit organization working to end hunger and poverty, the pandemic has laid bare the cracks in the American food system —…
November 13, 2020
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“This food-access crisis is threatening to exacerbate the already glaring health disparities for vulnerable people including low-income families, children, and older adults […] WhyHunger has launched a crowd-sourced map to…
November 12, 2020
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“Fueled by WhyHunger, a leader in the movement to end hunger, the event had urban farmers and volunteers bundle more than 1,000 pounds of locally grown nutritious food and medicinal…
November 06, 2020
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“Together with a former Catholic priest and syndicated radio talk show host named Bill Ayres, Chapin dedicated his life to hunger relief. The pair formed the grassroots organizations WhyHunger and…
October 15, 2020
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“According to Saulo Araujo, the director of the Global Movements Program at WhyHunger, MST was the first international organization to receive the Chapin prize. “It’s a recognition . . .…
September 30, 2020
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Before the pandemic, 46 million Americans relied on food banks, and 50 percent of them either received SNAP benefits or had a family member with a full-time job, [Alison Cohen] says. Ending…
September 15, 2020
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According to Saulo Araujo, director of the global movements program for WhyHunger, which provides technical assistance to the People’s Agroecology Process, ‘Valuing the work of women, Native Americans, African Americans,…
September 10, 2020
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There’s a much bigger issue here, which is that this is not really a very financially efficient or effective way of meeting rising need,” said Alison Cohen, senior director of…
September 08, 2020
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The underlying problem was bound up with the increasingly punishing nature of the American economy, especially for people of color. Food banks were supposed to fill in the gaps. But…
September 02, 2020
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In spite of the great work done by food banks and meal-assistance programs, hunger continues to proliferate. Alison M. Cohen, senior director of programming at WhyHunger, a social justice organization…
July 27, 2020
Read more.The music and technology industries have joined forces to launch SongAid, an ongoing effort to fight the global hunger crisis exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting on May 29, each…
May 29, 2020
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Tuttle has also announced that 100 percent of the proceeds from digital streams of “Helpless” will be donated to WhyHunger’s Rapid Response Fund, providing immediate economic relief and direct support to…
May 08, 2020
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Still, in many cases those urban areas are better equipped to handle increased hunger than rural areas because of population density, infrastructure and the prevalence of emergency food sites, says…
April 23, 2020
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" Before COVID-19 hit, 37 million Americans were struggling with hunger," Noreen Springstead, executive director of WhyHunger, said. "By integrating our database of tens of thousands of food providers into…
April 15, 2020
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WhyHunger's executive director Noreen Springstead, told Newsweek that the SNAP program was an important tool in staving off increased levels of hunger. "It needs to be amplified because that is a way to…
March 31, 2020
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The call volume has increased by 300 percent just in a short period. We have had people calling, desperate for food," WhyHunger's executive director Noreen Springstead told Newsweek. "They are in…
March 27, 2020
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Phish chose the WhyHunger non-profit organization to support through the first replay. Donations made to the band’s The WaterWheel Foundation on Tuesday will be donated to WhyHunger, "which provides critical…
March 23, 2020
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If you are looking for food assistance, call the WhyHunger Hotline: 1-800-5HUNGRY or 212-629-8850, ext. 4, or text your zip code to 1-800-548-6479 to find a local food provider, including information…
March 19, 2020
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"People who are the most vulnerable, depending on your race, your class, your zip code, and the type of work you do are really the ones that are hit the…
March 19, 2020
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According to WhyHunger, a national nonprofit organization working to end hunger and poverty, many food banks, food pantries and soup kitchens are canceling volunteer shifts altogether.
March 18, 2020
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According to WhyHunger, a national nonprofit organization working to end hunger and poverty, many food banks, food pantries and soup kitchens are canceling volunteer shifts altogether.
March 16, 2020
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I think what this [crisis] does is it illuminates the most vulnerable populations. That’s kids, hungry people, veterans, seniors, and the working families who rely on the emergency food system every…
March 12, 2020
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The majority of SNAP recipients who can work, do work, however 92 percent of the households who benefit from SNAP have incomes at or below the poverty line. Low wages…
December 05, 2019
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“We have the most-efficient emergency food system, and we have historically low unemployment,” says Noreen Springstead, the executive director of the nonprofit WhyHunger. “And still 40 million Americans are hungry.”…
November 20, 2019
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Based on original Carlos Santana “Supernatural” artwork, this one of a kind guitar mandala print can be worn as a traditional scarf, tied on a bag, or hung as a…
November 15, 2019
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We couldn’t agree more. It is heart wrenching to see federal employees in need of charity to feed their families. Yet, we wonder why the perpetual reality for some 46…
November 02, 2019
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Finally, the 34th annual Hungerthon drive kicks off on Friday, Nov. 1, and the “multifaceted campaign, which runs through the holiday season, raises critical funds for the fight to end…
October 31, 2019
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A survey of food banks and pantries released earlier this month underscores the difficulty of beating hunger using current methods. The good news is that 90% of the nearly 300 food…
October 28, 2019
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If we have any hope of eradicating hunger, we need a new narrative. We need to shift our thinking from hunger as the problem, to looking at hunger as a…
October 16, 2019
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You may not know the name Noreen Springstead (yet), but she's proving to be a game-changer for, well, the entire world. Since 1992, she's worked for the nonprofit WhyHunger, which…
August 16, 2019
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Among the 300 guests were Monte Lipman, co-founder and CEO of Republic Records; Noreen Springstead, executive director of WhyHunger; musician John Mellencamp, honoree of the ASCAP Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award;…
August 12, 2019
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“John Mellencamp receives ASCAP Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award at the WhyHunger 2019 "Chapin Awards" on June 6, 2019.”
June 10, 2019
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Alison Cohen is the senior director of programs at the global non-profit Why Hunger. She says that poverty is the root cause of hunger. WhyHunger supports Neighbors Together and other…
March 19, 2019
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WhyHunger Young Professionals (whYP) is a dynamic group of socially conscious young professional leaders motivated to bring awareness to the mission of WhyHunger through fundraising, social, and volunteer activities geared towards fellow young professionals. Participants share a passion for social justice and are committed to taking action to end hunger and poverty as part of the food justice movement. Make a
26-02-2016
WhyHunger’s What Ferguson Means for the Food Justice Movement series is a bold attempt to explore the way in which police violence and institutionalized anti-black racism is deeply interconnected to food, land and Black bodies. What is the connection between the death of Black people at the hands of the state (police shootings) and the death of Black people at
26-02-2016
Reposted with permission by CIW. In NYC on Thursday, March 3rd at 4pm, be an ally and join dozens of Florida farmworkers as they kick off the 2016 Workers' Voice Tour to demand that Wendy's, the final fast food holdout, take responsibility for conditions in their supply chain and join the CIW's Fair Food Program — a proven, worker-designed solution
18-02-2016
There has been a good deal of media coverage over the last few weeks about the pending SNAP cuts affecting those the government labels as “Abled-Bodied Adults Without Disabilities,” better known as childless adults who may be struggling to get by and typically aren’t eligible for other forms of public assistance. This April, 23 states will re-impose a 3 month
16-02-2016
This Valentine's Day we’re showing our donors some love by launching a new series that profile some of our supporters! Join us in celebrating them and the good they do by contributing to their communities and the work of WhyHunger. Today, meet two donors we love, Salaam Bhatti and Michael Mark: Salaam Bhatti, tell us a little about yourself. Salaam
12-02-2016
Join WhyHunger for lunch at the “Garden of Happiness” urban garden in the Bronx and learn as community activist, farmer and WhyHunger Board Member Karen Washington discusses the history of the garden and the importance of urban agriculture within the food justice movement. This garden was built by community members in 1988 on three former city-owned lots. Its name refers
12-02-2016
Join us for the inaugural WhyHunger “Homerun for Hunger” Suite Event at Yankee Stadium. Enjoy a night at the ballpark with friends watching the New York Yankees take on the Tampa Bay Rays while you feast on all-you-can-eat ballpark fare and enjoy an open bar with beer and wine, all while celebrating WhyHunger’s work to end hunger and poverty and
12-02-2016
Support WhyHunger and attend a live concert with today's preeminent progressive rock band: moe. Thanks to moe.'s generosity, we have a limited selection of tickets for their SOLD OUT show at The Fillmore in San Francisco. Your $50 donation entitles you to entry for one person. Whether you're a lifelong moe. fan or just a WhyHunger supporter looking for a great show, don't
12-02-2016
Thank you for an incredible night! We had a full house at Edison Ballroom with 300 people in attendance and the room was absolutely buzzing with the power of food, music, and grassroots innovation to bring about big change! Thank you for coming out to celebrate WhyHunger, the achievements of our grassroots partner Bed-Stuy Campaign Against Hunger, and the music
12-02-2016
Each year, hunger affects over 48.1 million Americans, including 15.3 million children. These numbers represent very real people struggling to make ends meet across the country, but we can all chip in to make a difference and help people get the nutritious food they need. Does breaking a sweat and fighting hunger at the same time interest you? Then join
11-02-2016
WhyHunger Young Professionals (whYP) is a dynamic group of socially conscious young professional leaders motivated to bring awareness to the mission of WhyHunger through fundraising, social, and volunteer activities geared towards fellow young professionals. Participants share a passion for social justice and are committed to taking action to end hunger and poverty as part of the food justice movement. Make a
26-02-2016
WhyHunger’s What Ferguson Means for the Food Justice Movement series is a bold attempt to explore the way in which police violence and institutionalized anti-black racism is deeply interconnected to food, land and Black bodies. What is the connection between the death of Black people at the hands of the state (police shootings) and the death of Black people at
26-02-2016
Reposted with permission by CIW. In NYC on Thursday, March 3rd at 4pm, be an ally and join dozens of Florida farmworkers as they kick off the 2016 Workers' Voice Tour to demand that Wendy's, the final fast food holdout, take responsibility for conditions in their supply chain and join the CIW's Fair Food Program — a proven, worker-designed solution
18-02-2016
There has been a good deal of media coverage over the last few weeks about the pending SNAP cuts affecting those the government labels as “Abled-Bodied Adults Without Disabilities,” better known as childless adults who may be struggling to get by and typically aren’t eligible for other forms of public assistance. This April, 23 states will re-impose a 3 month
16-02-2016
This Valentine's Day we’re showing our donors some love by launching a new series that profile some of our supporters! Join us in celebrating them and the good they do by contributing to their communities and the work of WhyHunger. Today, meet two donors we love, Salaam Bhatti and Michael Mark: Salaam Bhatti, tell us a little about yourself. Salaam
12-02-2016
Join WhyHunger for lunch at the “Garden of Happiness” urban garden in the Bronx and learn as community activist, farmer and WhyHunger Board Member Karen Washington discusses the history of the garden and the importance of urban agriculture within the food justice movement. This garden was built by community members in 1988 on three former city-owned lots. Its name refers
12-02-2016
Join us for the inaugural WhyHunger “Homerun for Hunger” Suite Event at Yankee Stadium. Enjoy a night at the ballpark with friends watching the New York Yankees take on the Tampa Bay Rays while you feast on all-you-can-eat ballpark fare and enjoy an open bar with beer and wine, all while celebrating WhyHunger’s work to end hunger and poverty and
12-02-2016
Support WhyHunger and attend a live concert with today's preeminent progressive rock band: moe. Thanks to moe.'s generosity, we have a limited selection of tickets for their SOLD OUT show at The Fillmore in San Francisco. Your $50 donation entitles you to entry for one person. Whether you're a lifelong moe. fan or just a WhyHunger supporter looking for a great show, don't
12-02-2016
Thank you for an incredible night! We had a full house at Edison Ballroom with 300 people in attendance and the room was absolutely buzzing with the power of food, music, and grassroots innovation to bring about big change! Thank you for coming out to celebrate WhyHunger, the achievements of our grassroots partner Bed-Stuy Campaign Against Hunger, and the music
12-02-2016
Each year, hunger affects over 48.1 million Americans, including 15.3 million children. These numbers represent very real people struggling to make ends meet across the country, but we can all chip in to make a difference and help people get the nutritious food they need. Does breaking a sweat and fighting hunger at the same time interest you? Then join
11-02-2016














































































