WhyHunger's Hungerthon Holiday Giving Campaign Launches

With nearly half of Americans worried about feeding their households due to inflation and rising costs of food, their fears are exacerbated during the holiday season. To help strike at the root causes of hunger and fuel long-term solutions that create social, racial and economic justice, 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 launched its 37th annual Hungerthon fundraiser and awareness drive.

Since launching over three decades ago, Hungerthon has raised millions of dollars in the fight to end hunger and invest in community-driven solutions to build social justice for all. The multi-faceted campaign that runs through the holiday season consists of: Celebrity, Radio and Business Partnerships: Hungerthon radio collaborators including Audacy New York, SiriusXM and iHeartMedia New York, as well as celebrity supporters including Yoko Ono Lennon, Bruce Springsteen and more, will raise funds and awareness through Hungerthon to help end hunger for good.

 
Charity Auctions & Merchandise Offerings: Supporters can bid on unique auction items and experiences donated by renown musicians, athletes and celebrities through Charitybuzz starting on November 15th. Additionally, signature WhyHunger gifts, including an exclusive John Lennon “Imagine There’s No Hunger” knit set and Tee, Bruce Springsteen “From My Home to Yours” Tee, Zip-Hoodie or Bandana and more are available with a Hungerthon donation.

 
➤Live Hungerthon Day: On November 22, WhyHunger will host its annual Live Hungerthon Day via radio partners at Audacy New York on stations including: WFAN 101.9 FM & 660 AM (WFAN-FM/AM), WCBS 880 (WCBS-AM), 1010 WINS (WINS-AM/92.3 FM), 101.1 WCBS-FM (WCBS-FM) 94.7 The Block (WXBK-FM) and NEW 102.7 (WNEW-FM). Live broadcasts will feature interviews, auctions, Hungerthon merchandise and more. Donations are accepted online at Hungerthon.org or via the volunteer-staffed phone room.

 

“Hunger in America continues to be an all-too-common reality. As so many individuals and families struggle to make ends meet, they are now faced with rising costs of goods and inflation, making impossible choices between food, transportation, housing and medicine. No one should be forced into this type of economic hardship, as access to healthy and nutritious food is a basic human right not a privilege,” said Noreen Springstead, executive director at WhyHunger. “The problem isn’t a lack of food though. It’s much more systemic. From a lack of a living wage to corporate strongholds on our food system, the root causes of hunger need to be addressed.”

According the WhyHunger 2022 Hunger and Food Insecurity Survey: 

• 83% of Americans say the U.S. should declare food as a basic human right.
• 49% of Americans know someone who has experienced hunger in the past year.
• 47% of Americans report worrying about being able to feed themselves and their families due to rising costs of groceries and inflation.
• 46% of Americans say if they were to face hunger or food insecurity they would not have adequate knowledge of food assistance programs to seek help.
• 35% of Americans feel they are not getting adequate nutrition because there is not enough money to regularly afford nutritious food.

“Hungerthon is more important than ever to help raise critical funds to provide immediate relief and long-term solutions to the hunger epidemic that so many communities face. We’re grateful for our dedicated radio partners, celebrity supporters, sponsors and all those who contribute to this year’s campaign for their steadfast support in helping aid our mission in ending hunger for good,” added Springstead.

Funds raised from WhyHunger’s Hungerthon are invested in community-led solutions to hunger across the U.S. that are nourishing people in immediate need and re-shape how we grow, pick, consume and celebrate food. To find out more information and support this year’s Hungerthon, visit Hungerthon.org and follow the conversation on social media via #Hungerthon and #GiveThanksgiving.

Additional Resources:

If you or someone you know needs help, call the WhyHunger Hotline at 1-800-5-HUNGRY, text your ZIP Code to 1-800-548-6479 or visit WhyHunger.org/FindFood to get connected to local emergency food providers like food pantries or soup kitchens across the U.S.