Hungerthon Campaign Raises $1M+ To End Hunger

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 announced its 35th annual Hungerthon campaign raised over $1.1 million - over half of which were small dollar donations - to strike at the root causes of hunger.

The multifaceted campaign worked with radio partners, celebrity ambassadors and sponsors, engaging the public through radio broadcasts, merchandise and a celebrity-driven auction hosted on Charitybuzz, in efforts to raise awareness and critical funds for community-driven solutions that end hunger and tackle urgent human needs through social, racial and economic justice.

“This year’s unprecedented and compounding forces of the COVID-19 pandemic, record unemployment and alarming rates of food insecurity have been devastating for too many Americans. In this pivotal time, it is humbling to see such an outpouring of support during this year’s Hungerthon campaign. With thousands of people stepping up to give what they can, despite their own challenges, it is so encouraging to see Americans prioritize the basic human right to nutritious food for all,” said Noreen Springstead, executive director at WhyHunger.

Highlights from WhyHunger’s multifaceted holiday fundraising and awareness campaign include:

• Celebrity support from Yoko Ono Lennon, Billy Joel, Kenny Loggins, Tom Morello, FRZY, Molly Tuttle, Jesse Colin Young, MJ Songstress, Niko Brim, Sean McConnell, JoJo Brim, Mike Taylor and Essie Golden among others.
• Radio partners at SiriusXM, nationally, Entercom New York and iHeartMedia New York hosted live broadcasts featuring exclusive interviews on topics such as racial justice and hunger and COVID-19’s impact on hunger, while raising funds through auction items, donation drives and Facebook Fundraisers.
• A record-breaking Live Hungerthon Day on Entercom New York raised $358,250 on stations including: WFAN 101.9 FM/660 AM (WFAN-FM/AM), WCBS 880 (WCBS-AM), 1010 WINS (WINS-AM), WCBS-FM 101.1 (WCBS-FM), ALT 92.3 (WNYL-FM), NEW 102.7 (WNEW-FM), and New York’s Country 94.7 (WNSH-FM).
• Support from corporate sponsors vitafusion Gummy Vitamins and their ambassador Tiffany Haddish, ADX Foundation, VME (Virtual Media Entertainment), On The Move, and ShopRite Liquors of Wharton.
• The first ever 'Musicians United to End Hunger' virtual concert series where over a dozen artists performed online for their fans to raise funds and awareness. Notable concerts included the Joe D’Urso & Friends’ Hungerthon Kickoff Concert, VME Presents Hungerthon: A Benefit Concert to Eradicate Hunger and concerts by Firepit and Hell or High Water.
• The first annual Race to Give Thanks on Thanksgiving Day, a nationwide virtual 5.4 mile run (in solidarity with the 54 million Americans who are food insecure) through the app Run for Good, which allowed participants to raise funds to support Hungerthon.
• Popular auction items included: Bruce Springsteen Autographed 1952 Fender Reissue Telecaster Guitar, folklore Album Guitar Autographed by Taylor Swift, and a Jon Bon Jovi Autographed Fender Stratocaster among others.

“This year’s campaign was so important amidst the rising need across the country, and we are grateful to everyone who came together - our radio partners, celebrity ambassadors, musicians and corporate sponsors. Thank you to our partners and donors for their critical support of WhyHunger and our work to nourish people now and end hunger for good,” added Springstead.

Since launching over three decades ago, Hungerthon has raised millions of dollars to advance the human right to nutritious food. In 2020, WhyHunger helped connect over 1 million people in the U.S. to nutritious food.

About WhyHunger:  Founded in 1975 by the late Harry Chapin and radio DJ Bill Ayres, WhyHunger believes a world without hunger is possible.