12/30/07
FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE - CONTACT: STEVE MACIEL 401-368-1325
'1 of 52' Hunger Network Expands its Scope and Scale
Since 1988, musicians and artists have been utilizing their talents at the center of a unique grassroots movement to help end hunger called the '1 of 52' Hunger Network. This network has been steadily building for 20 years and currently has chapters operating in 20 of the 50 states. Their initial plan is to have a minimum of 52 members in each state, each member representing one week of the year, who take action in that week to help end hunger. Each united action creates strength-in-numbers in this cumulative action plan. Members get to choose their own actions and participation has ranged from holding food drives at concerts to donations of memorabilia and event proceeds. The '1 of 52' Hunger Network's mission is to help maximize existing hunger agencies by organizing ongoing, mass-scale action through a grassroots strength-in-numbers movement in their support. True to its mission, the network has directed tens of thousands of dollars, tons of food and incalculable awareness to hunger causes locally and nationally.
Network founder Steve Maciel states; "The concept began organizing musicians and artists with tremendous success, and what we quickly found was, that the venues that hosted the events, the corporate sponsors and media that promoted them - and most importantly - the fans that attended, all wanted to know how they could join to help. As a result, we are expanding the scope and scale of the project in major ways. In addition to the traditional musicians and artists - some who will have been participating for 20 years in 2008 - we are now including people from all walks of life to join as '1 of 52' Members. The influence of music and arts will always remain at the center of our concept, and we now extend the invitation to anyone to bring their own special talents in support of our plan to help end hunger. We're confident that the sheer numbers of united member actions, coupled with the network's inherent longevity, will have a lasting impact."
"As well as expanding the scope of the concept, our non-profit 501(c)3 organization has begun to expand its scale also. Once a "critical mass" number of 52 is reached in a state, we will spearhead those to start '1 of 52' chapters into their individual communities. Since we've already exceeded 52 members in our model state of Rhode Island, we'll create the new model here. When just this smallest state in the union's 39 cities and towns reach 52 members, we'll have minimum of 2,028 '1 of 52' members united behind the cause. Just imagine the strength of this network when all 50 states are eventually up-and-running."
Maciel notes: "Taking a united stand, with an organized plan behind us, we can surely bring about the political will needed to return emergency food pantries to their original purpose: emergencies - not a way of life".
We invite you to join our grassroots movement. It costs nothing to become a "1 of 52" Hunger Network member and 100% of all proceeds and actions go directly to the hunger agency of your choice. Visit http://members.aol.com/hungerzero or call 401-368-1325 to learn how you, as an individual, can help us end hunger.
# # #
Providence Journal reference article:
http://www.projo.com/opinion/contributors/content/CT_maciel12_12-12 07_6N84KRV_v7.2a7780e.html