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Harry
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Students Help Hungry
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Jen Chapin's
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Getting Informed And Getting Involved-WHY Leads The Way

by Linda McCarty

"... it is deeply committed individual people who create the process for change, and who generate change itself. If we can muster up that degree of commitment and get away from the uniquely American perception that if something can't be done immediately it isn't worth doing, then I think the Hunger Movement, this small but growing minority of us, can have a truly significant impact."

-Harry Chapin

When Harry and Executive Director Bill Ayres established World Hunger Year (WHY) in 1975, they had studied the issues of hunger and poverty and believed that long-term solutions would be found at the grassroots level. The mission of WHY today, as it was then, is to support the work of innovative organizations domestically and internationally.

WHY accomplishes this goal through several programs including Reinvesting In America program (RIA) and the National Hunger Clearinghouse. Through RIA, WHY forges relationships between the 4,500 groups in its database and policymakers, the media, funding sources and other organizations working to advance self-reliance.

The National Hunger Clearinghouse (NHC) is the only national database of grassroots groups that are working toward ending hunger, empowering self-reliance, and aiding farmers and communities in growing food.

Circle! featured WHY's KIDS Can Make A Difference program in our Fall 2003 issue, and we'll focus in depth on Artists Against Hunger And Poverty and WHY's work on the international scene in future issues.

See WHY's current advertising campaign

Begin By Learning

If you want to get involved with WHY and the fight against hunger and poverty, a good way to begin is to follow Harry's and Bill's examples and learn about the issues. WHY has made keeping up to date on the issues easy through its considerable online resources. Start with a visit to WHY's newly redesigned, easy-to-navigate website at www.worldhungeryear.org. Subscribe to the free WHY News online, and read the WHY Reporter every day. WHY Speaks, another online publication, presents articles, op-ed pieces and commentaries on global food and hunger issues along with WHY's opinions on them. At the website you'll also find a page with links to other informative sites, a Recommended Reading list of additional resources, and the Just The Facts page containing the latest data on global hunger, poverty and health.

Turn Knowledge Into Action

Whether you've got a little time to give or you can make a full-time commitment, WHY offers many avenues for involvement. One simple way to help is by spreading the word about WHY's programs and actions to family, friends and associates. Fill out the online form, and WHY will send a one-time email telling the recipient about WHY's mission.

When you're ready to step outside of your immediate circle, WHY suggests writing a letter to your member of Congress urging action to eliminate hunger. Continue to make your voice heard by writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper about your hunger and poverty concerns nationally as well as in your own community.

Lend a hand to an anti-hunger organization where you live. Call 1-800-GLEAN-IT for a search of the NHC database to find a group that can use help with preparing or serving meals, distributing food, packing boxes or a myriad of other volunteer services.

If you want to see the resources in your area expanded and are looking for model programs to replicate, RIA has available six manuals describing innovative programs that have a track record of success. They are available from WHY for just $10 apiece (shipping is included).

Are you in an area that needs a food pantry? WHY has a blueprint and links for additional resources in "How To Start A Food Pantry: Six Simple Steps," right on its site.

For those in the New York City area who are motivated to work with WHY, an unpaid internship might be the right level of participation for you. The staff will need to know your areas of interest and when you would be available to work. Send an email to interns@worldhungeryear.org to express your interest and get additional information.

Support

Now that you've seen all that WHY does to fight hunger and poverty, consider making a donation to keep this vital organization thriving.

Watch for the Next Issue of Circle! on June 7