– Organization Remains Steadfastly Committed to Ending Food Insecurity, Solutions Rooted in Black and Indigenous Food Sovereignty, Agroecology and Grassroots Movements –
New York (December 13, 2022)— WhyHunger—a leader in the movement to end hunger and advance the human right to nutritious food in the U.S. and around the world—today released its 2021 Impact Report. WhyHunger’s milestone efforts centered around advancing the three pillars that guide the organization’s critical work: strengthening grassroots-led movements for food justice and food sovereignty worldwide, building social justice by addressing the root causes of hunger and addressing the human right to nutritious food for all.
Throughout 2021, the organization’s initiatives focused on supporting Black and Indigenous food sovereignty, sustainable agroecological processes, global and social movements and worked to ensure the right to food.
WhyHunger’s notable accomplishments throughout 2021 include:
- Food Finder Resources: The national WhyHunger Hotline at 1-800-5-HUNGRY and Find Food Database helped connect over 1.2 million individuals to healthy food and essential services in their communities across the U.S.
- Building Grassroots Movements: Invested over $3 million in support to 4 global social movements and 112 grassroots organizations in 25 countries to scale out sustainable agroecological food production, engage more people through political education and organizing, and meet the challenges presented by COVID-19 and climate change. These critical funds supported over 200 million farmers, Indigenous, peasant, and fisherfolk working to build food sovereignty and social justice for all.
- Black and Indigenous Food Sovereignty: Supported partners in the Black and Indigenous Food Sovereignty movement by leveraging critical funding to help train and equip Black farmers to grow food sustainably and resource infrastructure projects that allow them to scale production and boost their income.
- Agroecology: Mobilized $733,000 to 12 countries to strengthen agroecological production and support peasant farmer-to-farmer education at regional and global levels. Agroecology produces nutritious food in harmony with the earth, helps mitigate climate change, and strengthens communities.
- Rapid Response: Expanded its Rapid Response Fund and mobilized $85,000 to movement partners around the globe to set up local food pantries, food banks and soup kitchens; distribute emergency supplies; and purchase tools, seeds, and infrastructure to recover after natural disasters, climate events, and political violence.
- Drum Together Campaign: Harnessed the power of music to spark change by bringing over 100 legendary artists together for an epic musical tribute to The Beatles’ GRAMMY Award-winning song “Come Together.” The music video and campaign, which included legendary drummers Ringo Starr, Brian Frasier-Moore, Cindy Blackman Santana, Jim Keltner, Jonathan Moffett, Matt Cameron, Max Weinberg, Steve Gadd, Chad Smith, Nandi Bushell, Alan White and more, raised over $600,000 to support WhyHunger’s mission to end hunger.
- Charitable Partnerships: WhyHunger raised a record breaking $8 million in 2021! Growing support from dedicated charitable partnerships included: Hard Rock International, Hungerthon partners at SiriusXM, Audacy New York, iHeart Radio New York and vitafusion Gummy Vitamins, and foundation grants from SixDegrees.org, The Secunda Family Foundation, Chicago Community Trust, Albertsons Companies Foundation, CS Fund, ONEHOPE Foundation, and many others.
“Access to healthy and nutritious food is a basic human right not a privilege. To truly end hunger, we must strike at its root causes, and ultimately create stronger, more equitable food systems that nourish all people and our planet,” said Noreen Springstead, executive director at WhyHunger. “We are thrilled at all we have accomplished throughout 2021, and the incredible strides our organization’s efforts have achieved in collaboration and solidarity with our partners around the globe. Despite the increasing challenges we face in 2022, the steadfast work and conviction of our grassroots and social movement partners keep us grounded in the hope that a just, hunger free world is possible.”
To read the full report, which details WhyHunger’s initiatives and overall impact, see HERE.
About WhyHunger
Founded in 1975 by the late Harry Chapin and radio DJ Bill Ayres, WhyHunger believes a world without hunger is possible. We provide critical resources to support grassroots movements and fuel community solutions rooted in social, environmental, racial and economic justice. A four-star rated charity by Charity Navigator, with highest ratings for excellence in fiscal management accountability and transparency, WhyHunger is working to end hunger and advance the human right to nutritious food in the U.S. and around the world. 91 cents of every dollar raised goes directly to programmatic work. Learn more at whyhunger.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
