This week WhyHunger, a "global nonprofit dedicated to ending hunger and advancing the human right to nutritious food," held an event at its Annual Chapin Awards Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hallin New York City to celebrate its 50th anniversary, in the process raising over $600,000 to "end hunger and the injustice at its root."
"The event honored GRAMMY Award-winning artists and lifelong activists Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo with the ASCAP Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award, and CNN’s Laura Coates with the inaugural Bill Ayres Social Justice Award – allrecognizing those who have used their talent and global influence to inspire change and foster social justice," a statement read.
"Featuring special performances by Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, as well as members of The Fab Faux with Music Director Will Lee, the evening brought together artists such as Willie Nile, Will Calhoun, Tash Neal, Jen Chapin, and The Chapin Sisters, along withactivists, supporters, and co-founder Bill Ayres and his family, and thefamily of fellow co-founder Harry Chapin,for a cocktail reception and program – all in support of WhyHunger’s mission to end hunger and address its root causes."
"What an incredible night! We were honored and humbled to receive the ASCAP Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award and celebrate the 50th anniversary of WhyHunger at the Chapin Awards Gala,” Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo shared. “The evening was filled with love, hope and good humans dedicated to the service of others. We’re in this together and together we can make miracles happen.”
“They say there are two great days in a person’s life: the day we are born and the day we discover why. For me, I know my why,” said CNN’s Laura Coates. “To not just speak truth to power, but to question it…To use my voice to challenge the very systems that create and further the divide between the haves and the have-nots. To disrupt the inertia of oppression. To pursue justice and insist we one day catch it.”
“As we celebrate WhyHunger's 50th anniversary and reflect on our collective journey to end hunger and advance the human right to nutritious food, it’s important to uplift those who have helped lead the way,” said Jenique Jones, WhyHunger’s Executive Director. “We are thrilled to recognize our honorees’ contributions at this year's WhyHunger Chapin Awards Gala as we recommit ourselves to this work together. Looking ahead, we remain driven by the urgency of this moment and inspired by the possibilities of what we can achieve—together—with bold action, deep partnerships, and the unwavering belief that a hunger-free future is possible.”
“We’re thrilled to support this incredible event celebrating WhyHunger’s 50 years of impact, and we hope our support inspires others to join this vital mission to end hunger and the injustices that cause it,” shared Alysia Steinmann, EY Metro New York Office Managing Partner and Member of WhyHunger’s Board of Directors.
To learn more about WhyHunger and how you can support the movement to end hunger, visit www.whyhunger.org, and follow on Facebook,TikTok, and Instagram.
Photo Credit: Getty Images for WhyHunger
