10/16/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/16/2024 10:36
Electrified NYC's Irving Plaza With Performances By The Roots, Grace Bowers + Cimafunk
Raising Essential Funds to End Hunger & Related Injustice
October 16, 2024 - WhyHunger- a non-profit organization working to end hunger and the injustices that cause it - held its 2ndannual Amplified concert Presented by EY on October 15 at NY's Irving Plaza, kicking off its 39thannual Hungerthon fund-raising and education campaign.
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Hosted by comedian Roy Wood Jr., the evening's musical talent featured iconic Grammy Award winners and Tonight Show house band The Roots, award-winning 18-year-old guitarist, songwriter and bandleader Grace Bowers and her band The Hodge Podge, as well as Cuban "international funk champion" (NY Times) Cimafunk - captivating the audience with sets across funk, hip hop, blues, and soul.
Founded by the late singer/songwriter Harry Chapin and radio DJ Bill Ayers in 1975, WhyHunger has music in its DNA. Honoring its origins, the organization harnesses the power of music to fuel the food justice movement. The 2ndannual Amplified event raised a gross total of $545,000 to support WhyHunger's ongoing work to end hunger and protect the human right to nutritious food. More than 91% of funds raised will support community-based solutions for people in need across America.
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Visithttps://hungerthon.org/about.html
About WhyHunger
WhyHunger was founded in 1975 by the late musician Harry Chapin and Radio DJ Bill Ayres on the fundamental belief that access to nutritious food is a human right and hunger is a solvable problem in a world of abundance. What began as a simple commitment between two friends to make a difference has grown into a global non-profit, celebrating 49 years of supporting social movements and grassroots innovation to change the systems, policies, and institutions that perpetuate hunger and poverty in our world.
The organization has invested in community-led solutions that equip people to nourish themselves. It provides funding, training, and other resources to grassroots organizations across the United States and in 23 countries, championing local control of food access from seed to market to plate. WhyHunger over the last four years connected more than 4.6 million people to nutritious local food and invested $8.1 million globally to support sustainable agriculture and effective solutions to hunger. Since its start, WhyHunger's Artists Against Hunger & Poverty program has engaged countless musicians and raised millions for WhyHunger's community-based partners and programs.
About WhyHunger Executive Director Jenique Jones
Jenique Jones guides the strategic direction of the organization - ensuring that its policies, culture, and practices fulfill WhyHunger's mission. With a diverse background in government and nonprofits including the New York State Senate and the NYC Department of Education, Jenique came to WhyHunger after 14 years at one of the largest food rescue organizations, City Harvest. As its Vice President of Program Operations and Policy, she oversaw the distribution of tens of millions of pounds of food to soup kitchens, food pantries, and community food programs throughout New York City. Jenique has been steadfast in her efforts to improve the lives of marginalized and underserved populations and make a difference in the world.
Jenique has responded to numerous emergencies and disaster situations. Extending her role at City Harvest and as a member of Feeding America, she spearheaded the distribution of over 500 million pounds of food in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. She also oversaw infrastructure projects to rebuild after Superstorm Sandy and supported food banks in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Jenique excels in defining strategies that align with WhyHunger's vision and drive programmatic growth. A native New Yorker, Jenique lives in Brooklyn, NY with her wife, Kayla.