FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Hesire Lawton, [email protected]
WhyHunger’s Hungerthon 2024 Raises Over $1 Million Fueling Solutions to Hunger in America
NEW YORK—January 16, 2025— WhyHunger’s 39th annual Hungerthon campaign has once again raised more than $1 Million to advance sustainable solutions to food insecurity across the U.S., announced WhyHunger, a nonprofit working to end world hunger and the injustices that cause it. The campaign united thousands of supporters, celebrities and radio partners in a powerful effort to address hunger’s root causes and protect the human right to nutritious food.
“The success of Hungerthon 2024 is a powerful testament to our collective power to ignite change and promote justice in our communities,” said Jenique Jones, executive director of WhyHunger. “We are grateful for the generosity of our donors, radio partners, celebrity advocates and supporters who took action in ways big and small to amplify our work and raise essential funds to help end hunger.”
Campaign highlights from WhyHunger’s Hungerthon 2024 include:
- Radio Engagement: Long-term partnerships with SiriusXM and iHeartRadio New York, brought compelling stories, education and calls to action to millions of listeners.
- Star Power: Advocates like Yoko Ono Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, Grace Bowers, Roy Wood, Jr., Michael Franti and Brittney Spencer championed the cause, amplifying the message of food justice through PSAs, social media content and interviews.
- Online Auctions & Gift Items: Unique experiences and memorabilia raised significant funds, with special gift items like John Lennon’s Imagine There’s No Hunger T-shirt and a Bruce Springsteen “The Promised Land” sweatshirt. A star-studded auction on Charitybuzz.com featured top items such as:
○ Guest DJ on SiriusXM’s 70s on 7 in NYC or Virtually
○ Meet Chicago with Two Tickets to a 2025 Show of Choice + Coffee Table Book
○ Meet Nate Bargatze with Two Tickets to his Comedy Show in 2025
○ Join Jeff Lewis In-Studio for His SiriusXM Radio Show in LA
○ Private Concert from Grammy Winner Tom Chapin & Friends
○ Jelly Roll Signed Whitsitt Chapel Hat from iHeartRadio
○ Custom Vintage Jacket & Signed by Jon Bon Jovi + Guest DJ on SiriusXM’s Bon Jovi Radio
○ Two Tickets to Luke Combs’ Tortuga Music Festival + Hotel Stay & Airfare from the SiriusXM auction
○ Join Andy Cohen In-Studio for His SiriusXM Radio Show in NYC
○ Autographed Red Hot Chili Peppers Guitar from the SiriusXM auction
○ Host a Private Party on the NYC Hard Rock Cafe Marquee for 25 Guests
- The Hungerthon Hustle: Over 250 participants across the U.S. joined in-person and virtual walk/runs for the inaugural Hungerthon Hustle 4.7K, raising funds and awareness to support WhyHunger’s mission.
- Amplified: Hungerthon 2024 launched with Amplified, a high-energy concert hosted by comedian Roy Wood Jr. at New York’s iconic Irving Plaza. The concert featured performances by The Roots, Grace Bowers and her band The Hodge Podge, and special guest Cimafunk.
Funds raised will enable WhyHunger to invest in community-led initiatives, connect individuals with local food resources through the WhyHunger Hotline and Find Food tools, and advocate for systemic change to address food insecurity at its root.
WhyHunger remains committed to the vision of a world without hunger. Though Hungerthon 2024 has concluded, donations are still welcome to further the cause. To contribute or learn more, visit Hungerthon.org or call the Hunger Hotline at 1-800-5-HUNGRY for assistance with finding healthy meals.
###
About WhyHunger
Founded in 1975 by the late Harry Chapin and radio DJ Bill Ayres, WhyHunger funds and supports community solutions to protect the human right to food. In nearly five decades of innovation and evolution, our programs and our grassroots partners in 24 countries have expanded agricultural practices that are better for the planet, helped communities address the root causes of hunger, and ensured access to nutritious food for millions of people. As a grassroots support organization, we stand behind the leadership of the people most impacted by hunger and injustice. We prioritize providing resources to support the rights of communities who have been historically excluded from defining and controlling their food systems. We advocate for workers’ rights and champion agroecological food production that unites science and sustainability with Indigenous knowledge and wisdom. Together we can build socially and economically just food systems that nourish all people and the environment. Learn more at whyhunger.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram.
About SiriusXM
SiriusXM is the leading audio entertainment company in North America with a portfolio of audio businesses including its flagship subscription entertainment service SiriusXM; the ad-supported and premium music streaming services of Pandora; an expansive podcast network; and a suite of business and advertising solutions. Reaching a combined monthly audience of approximately 150 million listeners, SiriusXM offers a broad range of content for listeners everywhere they tune in with a diverse mix of live, on-demand, and curated programming across music, talk, news, and sports. For more about SiriusXM, please go to: www.siriusxm.com.
About iHeartMedia New York
iHeartMedia New York owns and operates WWPR-FM, WHTZ-FM, WKTU-FM, WAXQ-FM, WLTW-FM, WOR-AM, New York’s Black Information Network, WWRL-AM, and is part of iHeartMedia. iHeartMedia, Inc. [Nasdaq: IHRT] is the leading audio media company in America, reaching over 90% of Americans every month. iHeart’s broadcast radio assets alone have more consumer reach in the U.S. than any other media outlet; twice the reach of the next largest broadcast radio company; and over four times the ad-enabled reach of the largest digital-only audio service. iHeart is the largest podcast publisher according to Podtrac, with more downloads than the next two podcast publishers combined and has the number one social footprint among audio players, with seven times more followers than the next audio media brand, and the only fully integrated audio ad tech solution across broadcast, streaming and podcasts. The company continues to leverage its strong audience connection and unparalleled consumer reach to build new platforms, products, and services. Visit iHeartMedia.com for more company information.
About Charitybuzz
Charitybuzz is the world’s leading impact marketplace for once-in-a-lifetime experiences, exclusive items and unmatched access. Through its premier online auction platform, upscale shopping experience, private concierge business, corporate hospitality, and sweepstakes program, Charitybuzz brings dreams to life and helps charities thrive. In addition to incredible luxury travel, VIP event experiences, and rare memorabilia and collectibles, Charitybuzz features exclusive access to the world’s most influential personalities – George Clooney, Beyoncé, Eddie Vedder, Warren Buffett, Olivia Rodrigo, Sir Paul McCartney, Tim Cook, Meryl Streep, and more. A portion of each Charitybuzz purchase is contributed to a charity. Partners include WhyHunger, ACLU, MusiCares, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and thousands more. To learn more, please visit www.charitybuzz.com
