Volume #11 November 2004 by Stephen M. Maciel, Director, End Hunger Foundation, Inc.
1-888-HUNGER-0 ENDHUNGER@aol.com Http://members.aol.com/hungerzero
175 Hazard Rd. W. Greenwich, RI 02817
Hi and welcome to our 11th newsletter.
There's good news, and there's bad news. The bad news is: Hunger persists in our society. The good news is: There's a plan to stop it.
On June 3rd, 2004, National Hunger Awareness Day, the National Anti-Hunger Organizations (NAHO) released "A Blueprint to End Hunger" which is offered as a roadmap to solve the problem of hunger in the United States (http://www.hungercenter.org). This working document is accompanied by an open letter from the NAHO that issues this call to action: To every segment of our society to mobilize to make the vision of a Hunger Free America a reality by taking responsibility to help move forward these solutions (outlined in the Blueprint).
We accept this call to action. Here's the initial part of our action plan to help make the solutions outlined in the Blueprint to End Hunger move forward.
For over 16 years, we have been organizing the '1 of 52' Artist Hunger Network (AHN). We've raised tons of food and awareness, over $25,000 in known donations and inspired much more in anonymous donations for existing hunger agencies across America.
We are now taking the '1 of 52' concept to another level and have launched the '1 of 52' Coalition for Hunger Free Communities (HFC). The organizations will co-exist with the '1 of 52' AHN at the core. The new '1 of 52' Coalition HFC will invite people from all walks of life to participate. We are greatly expanding the scope of who can participate, namely: everyone, and at the same time narrowing the focus right down into the community. Artists can be counted in on both levels, if they choose. The '1 of 52' AHN will focus on a state-to-sate expansion level 'spreading the word' nationally and continuing to forge the special link between music and the cause of ending hunger. The '1 of 52' Coalition for HFC will take direct action at the community level, spreading community by community. Imagine what an organized '1 of 52' Coalition of dedicated hunger activists in every community will accomplish!
Musicians and all artists certainly don't operate in a vacuum. They perform and show at venues, are advertised in the media and are sponsored by business. It's time to join these forces through the unique, simple grassroots '1 of 52' method of organizing. We are providing this structure to focus the enormous collective power of individuals, joined in activity, to help answer the NAHO call to action: to every segment of our society to mobilize to make the vision of a Hunger Free America a reality by taking responsibility to help move forward these solutions.
We've begun a model program in South Kingstown, RI. This town spontaneously emerged as the model community due to my close association with a number of artists, venues and businesses there. We have simultaneously issued a challenge for other communities to adopt this method of organizing in their community. Almost instantly, hunger activists in the Westerly community have started their own group of 52! Here's their 1st Hunger Free Community Event: This Sunday, 11/28 from noon to 6pm, the Westerly Independent Family Endowment will be holding a benefit and town-wide food drive and Holiday Radiothon in cooperation with 88.1 WBLQ FM. '1 of 52' Artists and guests will be performing live on the air. If you're in the area, tune in for details and support the food drive at Shaw, Stop & Shop Supermarkets, McQuade's Market and Dunne's Corner Mobil. Call 401-322-9091 for more info.
More requests of you: Please let us hear what you have going in your state/community so we can post your actions up on the site to inspire others, Check out the Blueprint to End Hunger, Visit the Feinstein Foundation website at feinsteinfoundation.com to be sure and take full advantage of Feinstein Challenges, A press release will follow this newsletter - please watch for it and feel free to forward/distribute to your contacts, Visit your '1of 52' site to remind yourself that your actions never stand alone.
Have a wonderful holiday, and thank you for helping someone who may be less fortunate than you at this time.
Peace, Steve Maciel, Director