WhyHunger Celebrates 50 Years While Hunger Persists

NEW YORK (AP) — WhyHunger, a nonprofit dedicated to eradicating hunger, marks its 50th anniversary this year, reflecting both pride and shame for its continued relevance in a world where hunger remains prevalent. Founded in 1975 by singer-songwriter Harry Chapin and radio DJ Bill Ayres, the organization was born from the belief that leveraging music industry connections could help tackle hunger at its roots.

A Milestone with Mixed Emotions

“It is pride and shame in equal measure,” said Jen Chapin, daughter of Harry Chapin and a board member of WhyHunger, during the nonprofit’s gala on Wednesday night. “It’s embarrassing that this organization is still relevant when hunger is a completely solvable problem.”

WhyHunger’s establishment coincided with transformative expansions of U.S. federal food programs. However, it continues to operate during a time of increasing food insecurity, as some of the wealthiest countries are scaling back their humanitarian commitments. With funding streams closing due to the Trump administration’s budget cuts, many organizations in WhyHunger’s network struggle to provide access to nutritious food.

Enduring Challenges

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that over 47 million people, including nearly 14 million children, lived in food-insecure households in 2023. WhyHunger attributes this crisis to systemic issues like rising inflation, the rollback of pandemic relief, and stagnant wages.

Artists Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, who have supported WhyHunger for 30 years, expressed disbelief at the food insecurity statistics. They were honored at the gala with the ASCAP Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award for using their platform to promote social justice. “Music brings so many people together,” Benatar remarked, emphasizing its power to inspire action.

Community Efforts and Fundraising Success

The annual awards gala, hosted at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall, raised over $125,000, directly supporting WhyHunger’s programs in the U.S. and 24 other countries. The organization aims not just to feed people but to create systemic change. This includes training local farmers, connecting individuals to government benefits, promoting indigenous food sovereignty, and advocating for food workers’ rights.

“It’s not enough to feed people for a day,” Jen Chapin said. “You have to also create the social movement so that there is a food system that enables that farmer, that fisherperson, to get a fair price for their work, feed their local community.”

Support from Philanthropists

Notable benefactors include WhyHunger Board Chair Cindy Secunda and billionaire Tom Secunda, whose family foundation has contributed over $8 million to the organization since 2020. Cindy Secunda recalled first learning about WhyHunger during Harry Chapin concerts in college. “They get so much more done with such a small staff,” she emphasized, reflecting on the organization’s efficiency.

Evolution of Philanthropic Approaches

Over its 50-year history, WhyHunger has maintained a small staff in order to remain nimble and effective. According to Debbie DePoala, WhyHunger’s Senior Director of Communications, the biggest shift in their approach has been the philanthropic sector’s understanding of hunger as interconnected with issues like racism and climate change, which were not widely acknowledged when the organization was founded.

Former board member Jan Poppendieck, who has extensively studied food assistance, expressed hope that the focus on public policy won’t be lost. “What they have done best is to assist local innovative progressive organizations, providing them with financial support and creating opportunities for collaboration to share best practices,” she noted.