World Food Program USA Blog

Music for Mankind

Musician Kelly Moore has been an avid supporter of Friends of the World Food Program (Friends of WFP) and an advocate for the world’s hungry poor for several years. In March 2010, Kelly and his band performed in Vermont, and made the concert available via webcast for supporters across the country. Friends of WFP was one the beneficiaries of the concert. The following are excerpts from an interview I had with Kelly Moore, about his work and commitment to ending global hunger. Read on…

Margot Hoerrner (Vice President of Outreach and Education, Friends of WFP):  How did
you first hear about the United Nations World Food Program (WFP)?

Kelly Moore:  I have been an active supporter of Prem Rawat and his foundation for years, which works to promote peace and support humanitarian causes around the world. In about 2005, there was an article in the Prem Rawat Foundation newsletter, discussing the work of WFP and the issue of global hunger. The Prem Rawat Foundation had supported WFP in its disaster relief efforts with the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, and has continued to provide assistance to WFP’s ongoing hunger relief efforts.

MH:  What was it about that article, or the issue of global hunger, that made you want to get involved?

KM:  2005 was an important year for me. I had a number of things going on in my life both personally and professionally as a musician which prompted me to start thinking more about impact.

I had been playing both as a solo musician and with a band, performing at venues all over New England, and had started selecting additional venues such as prisons, hospitals and schools… it was with these audiences that I started to see how grateful people were to have live music come to them.

This made me start thinking about how I could leverage my music to create change around the issues I care about, and have a bigger impact. I decided to start Music for Mankind - a series of benefit concerts through which a portion of the proceeds are contributed to Friends of WFP and other national, regional and local charities to support hunger and poverty alleviation strategies.

MH: Tell me about your concert which took place in March in Vermont.

KM:  We hadn’t had a local concert in awhile, so we arranged to have an intimate performance at Al Ducci’s  - a gourmet food venue in Manchester, Vermont – with simultaneous live webcast, so our fans around the country could join us as well. We decided  to use the concert as a fundraising event for both Friends of WFP and the Manchester Community Food Cupboard, which is a local hunger alleviation organization.

Al Ducci’s donated the space, and the Greater Manchester Arts Council supported the event – and it was a full house! We played for about an hour, and throughout the performance, I spoke about my travels to visit WFP programs on the ground in Nicaragua and Peru. So many people came up to me afterward, expressing thanks for raising awareness about the issue of global hunger, and told me that, through my words and the images that I shared, they felt that they had traveled to the field with me. 

At the end of the day, we raised some funds and some awareness, and made a difference in people’s lives.

MH: How would you describe your music?

KM:  (laughs) How would I describe my music… Well, it’s acoustic, folk, pop, rock and Celtic all rolled into one. My band – Emerald Dreams – has two vocalists, a violin, flute and piccolo, double bass and guitar. 

MH: With all of the issues out there that you could support, why did you choose to support global hunger alleviation?

KM:  The bottom line is that people have to eat. Without food, you don’t have life. You don’t have dignity or prosperity. Without food you’re unable to experience peace in the world, or with yourself. If we’re able to first address hunger, so many other challenges will be resolved as well.

-Margot Hoerrner
Vice President of Outreach and Education
Friends of the World Food Program 

One Runner's Frozen Efforts to Support WFP...

There are not many people out there who would get up at the crack of dawn, in 20 degree weather, put on her sneakers and venture out into a “True nor’easter” with horizontal rain, to run a 5-mile race on the snowy roads of New Hampshire to raise funds and awareness about the World Food Program… but Dody Hogan did just that. I had the opportunity to speak with her last week…

 

Margot Hoerrner (VP of Outreach, Friends of WFP): How did you first hear about WFP?

Dody Hogan: I first heard about WFP about two years ago through the work of your Goodwill Ambassador Drew Barrymore. My husband and I are always looking for opportunities to give back and have a real impact on the world. We’ve primarily done that through donating a little here and there, but were looking for ways to be more consistent, to set an example for our daughter, and really make a difference.

MH:  There are so many causes out there to support – why did you decide to support the fight to end global hunger?
DH:  I’m a clinical child psychologist, so every day I grapple with the fundamental needs of children – what children need to thrive as individuals, within their families, to become educated and grow into responsible and contributing citizens. Hunger is the most fundamental need, before we can even start talking about anything else - and as Americans, I don’t think we really understand the issue. The idea that tens of millions of children in the developing world go to bed hungry every single night, and have to get up the next morning with no relief in sight, day after day, is just devastating.

MH: Tell me a little bit about your fundraising initiative.
DH:  Well, I’ve been an avid runner for several years now, and had signed up for my first race of 2010, when all of a sudden the devastating earthquake in Haiti took place (on January 12). I immediately donated to WFP to help with the relief efforts, but then had the idea of using this race as a tool to raise awareness, as well as more money than I could personally donate as an individual.
I started reading more about the disaster in Haiti, and became alarmed when I saw that coverage was starting to fade from the headlines. I blogged about the earthquake and the devastation which it left behind; I spoke to everyone I know, to first educate them about the disaster, and then to request that they sponsor me in my upcoming race. The response was overwhelmingly positive.
 
MH: I understand that the conditions on the day of the race were less than ideal…
DH: I live in southern New Hampshire, and there was a “true nor’easter,” as they were referring to it on the news, approaching. When I woke up on race day, the temperature was in the 20s, the wind was at 40-50mph, and it was pouring – the wind was blowing so hard, that the rain was horizontal, coming directly into my face.
A number of supporters had called me the night before, to say that they weren’t expecting me to run, and I could just keep their donations, but all I could think about was the conditions that the victims of the Haiti earthquake were living in – and they had no choice. A 5-mile run in these conditions seemed a lot less daunting.

MH:  Did you meet the goals that you had set out for yourself?
DH: Absolutely. I raised over $1300 to support WFP operations in Haiti, but even more importantly, I put this issue on a number of people’s radar screen. These people are more likely to be sensitized to issue of global hunger, and to seek information about, and support, WFP’s lifesaving work.
At end of the race, I really felt that I had earned the donations that I had gathered in support of WFP.

--
I found Dody Hogan to be an inspiration, representative of the thousands of people working to make a difference every day in the fight against global hunger. Thanks Dody!

-Margot Hoerrner
Vice President of Outreach
Friends of WFP

WFP Committee of San Francisco hosts Robyn Rhodes, Jewelry Designer, for Fundraising Trunk Show!

Kudos to the WFP Committee of San Francisco for organizing a successful fundraising event in support of the United Nations World Food Program (WFP)! I was able to speak with Julia Feldman from the Committee earlier this week, to learn more about the event. Read on…!

Margot Hoerrner (Vice President of Outreach, Friends of WFP):  Tell me a little bit about your event.

Julia Feldman (WFP Committee of San Francisco): The Committee decided to host jewelry designer Robyn Rhodes for a jewelry trunk show at my home on Sunday, March 14. The whole event lasted about three or four hours, during which we provided food and beverages, and invited those from our networks to come and peruse Robyn’s work. Robyn was kind enough to donate a portion of the proceeds to support WFP. It was a great event, bringing together a number of people to buy gifts, learn about WFP and support the cause! 

MH:  Who is Robyn Rhodes? How did you find her?

JF:  Robyn is an incredibly talented, self-taught jewelry designer, whose work is getting a lot of people’s attention. She’s been doing this for about eight years, and not only designs her own work, but also makes it herself.

She sells her jewelry both online and in stores, and also presents her work in these kinds of trunk shows for private audiences. She has remained true to her values as her business becomes more and more successful, always wanting to give back and support causes that are important to her. She’s a businesswoman with heart, which is also why she’s one of my very closest friends.

MH: Would Robyn consider other sites in the country for a jewelry trunk show?

JF: Absolutely. She’s originally from Los Angeles, and would be very open to hosting events in that area, as well as other parts of the country.

MH:  Who did you invite to your event?

JF: Well, the WFP Committee of San Francisco has fantastic leadership and amazing support from a large group of volunteers. We worked with Robyn to pool all of our collective networks, and ended up sending electronic invitations to over 200 people. It was a great opportunity to reach out to new people and raise awareness about WFP.

MH: What were your goals in organizing this event?

JF: We’ve organized a number of large, successful fundraising and awareness events, and we wanted to mix it up a little and organize a more intimate event for our friends. Our goal was to raise awareness about the issue of global hunger and the world of WFP, and to raise funds to support WFP’s operations on the ground.

MH: Do you feel that the Committee was successful in meeting those goals?

JF:  Yes – Robyn was so generous in donating at least 5 percent of the proceeds to WFP, and at the end of the day, we raised about $250, which, for example, is enough to provide meals to 1,000 students in WFP’s School Meals Program.

MH: Do you have any advice for others who might want to organize an event like this?

JF:  First, feel free to contact Robyn, to see if she’d be interested in organizing a trunk show in your area. People should brainstorm about who they know in their networks with creative talents to share, who might be trying to build or expand their business - whether it be a jewelry designer, artist, musician, chef, etc.  You’d be surprised at how receptive people are to getting involved in a project like this, especially because it supports such a good cause.

- - 

The WFP Committee of San Francisco was started in 2008, and has quickly established itself as a shining example of the WFP Committee program’s success. In 2009, the WFP Committee of San Francisco was presented with the inaugural Global Citizenship Award at Friends of WFP’s Annual Awards Ceremony in Washington DC, alongside Representative Rosa DeLauro, who was also honored for her commitment to ending global hunger.

-Margot Hoerrner
Vice President of Outreach
Friends of WFP

Local Volunteer Organizes Cultural Festival to End Global Hunger

When I learned that Leah Diamond Lightfoot decided, out of the goodness of her own heart, to organize a cultural festival in the Florida Keys, to raise awareness about the World Food Program, and funds for WFP’s relief efforts in Haiti, I had to give to her a call, to find out more. Here are some excerpts from our conversation…

Margot Hoerrner (VP of Outreach): How did you first hear about the United Nations World Food Program?

Leah Diamond Lightfoot (Festival Organizer): I recently reconnected with some friends from Junior High School in West Orange, NJ. When I asked if anyone had any news about our friend and classmate, Josette Sheeran, I was told that she now serves as the Executive Director of the World Food Program. I hadn’t heard of WFP before, so I immediately went online to do some research, and thought to myself, “Josette is feeding the world!” I was very moved by the work that WFP was doing around the world.

MH: Why did you decide to organize a benefit for WFP, and our relief efforts in Haiti?

LDL: When I realized how many people around the world were suffering from hunger, combined with the disastrous earthquake that had just hit Haiti, I just couldn’t sit still. I’d donated, but I really wanted to do more – to have a greater impact. I’m an event planner and an entrepreneur, and I wanted to leverage my skills to make a difference – I wanted to educate my community about WFP, about hunger, and raise some money to help those in need. This was the very first fundraiser that I’d ever organized, but I knew it could be a success…

MH: Tell me about the event.

LDL: It was a cultural festival in Cudjoe Key, Florida. I brought in vendors of all kinds (and charged them a $25 table fee, to be donated to Friends of WFP), seven or eight bands (from rock n’ roll, to island music, folk and jazz) , organized a silent auction and door prizes, and sold food and beverages. It was a GREAT event!

MH: Who did you invite?

LDL: We invited everyone. We sent emails out to 2500 people, made announcements on local radio stations, reached out to the local tourist community – we tapped into every network we could think of, from personal, to professional.

MH: Where did you hold the festival?

LDL: Two local businesses – Lightfoot Designs and Mad Dawg’z BBQ - donated 3.5 acres of beautiful outdoor space for us to use, free of charge! I was amazed to see how many businesses supported this event – all we had to do was ask! Local businesses donated huge outdoor tents, tables and chairs; others donated prizes for the silent auction and door prizes. We had restaurant gift certificates to give away, sunset cruises, snorkeling trips – the generosity was unbelievable.

MH: Did you get the outcomes you were hoping for?

LDL: Well, it rained for a bit, which scared some folks away, but nevertheless, it was a great turnout. And we’re still counting the money! We had so many donations come in from vendors, participants, the auction and door prize – we’re finishing up the final tally and will be sending the final donation to Friends of the World Food Program, to support WFP programs around the world.

MH: What advice would you give to someone who wants to organize an event like this?

LDL: I was surprised at how easy this event was to organize! The first thing to do is - check the local weather! =) After that, the major things to think about are:

• Check with City Hall to see if you need any permits.
• Approach every single local business in town to see if they’d like to set up a table to sell their wares, or to donate goods to the event.
• Always have music at your events – it really brings people together.
• Diversify your target audience – for example, organize some fun activities for kids and families.
• Be sure to take photographs throughout the event, to post and share with those who have attended, and the local media!

MH: Do you think you made a difference?

LDL: Absolutely. At the end of the day, we really educated people about the work of WFP and the issue of global hunger. Everyone who came felt great about the contribution they were making. I’m really glad that I organized this event, and was able to help Josette Sheeran in her mission to end global hunger.

I was so impressed with Leah’s willingness to roll up her sleeves and really make a difference. We work with thousands of individual volunteers just like her, who decide that they’re going to fundraise, meet with their Member of Congress, write an op-ed or give a presentation in their community to raise awareness about the issue of global hunger – I am always amazed by the generosity and resourcefulness of the American public.

If you’re interested in making a difference, please contact us at [email protected]. 

Margot Hoerrner
Vice President of Outreach
Friends of WFP

 

 

1,000 Miles: Running for Hunger

Tens of thousands of people run the New York City Marathon every year.  This year, one special volunteer will be running the NYC Marathon in support of the 1 billion people who face hunger every day around the globe.  On November 1, Evan Jurkovich will begin his 26.2 mile run through the five boroughs of New York City in support of Friends of the World Food Program (Friends of WFP).

Q: This year is the 40^th running of the NYC Marathon, and your first time running a marathon.  What makes this race extra special for you?

 

Evan: Being my first marathon does make this one special. But it’s even a bit more than that. Not only is it my first marathon, but it’s really my first major undertaking in my post-collegiate competitive running career. Training in college was one thing – there was a team, coaching, a more flexible schedule, athletic trainers. It was easier to push myself and stay focused. It’s a new challenge now with a full time job, coaching myself without the same resources, which almost makes it more rewarding.

 

And running for Friends of WFP certainly helps me get through the grind and stay motivated. It helps answer the question, “what am I running for?” – besides myself – that was so easily answered before.

 

Q: You have been training hard the last few months for the NYC Marathon. While some of your training must focus on the patience to just keep running, do you ever keep yourself going by thinking about the cause of global hunger you are running to support?

 

Evan: I do, and it helps to put more meaning behind my running. I’ve spent a lot of time on the trails and roads and you can’t help but think during that time. Sometimes it’s marathon daydreaming, but more often than not I return my thoughts to the cause I’m able to run for.

 

Over the years of running I’ve spent my time thinking about life and the things I care about and hope to do. It’s rewarding being able to coalesce my passion of running with other passions like world hunger, global poverty and education.  So during an hours-long run, it’s energizing to think about my running meaning more.

Q: Through appeals to friends and family, you have already raised over $1,000 for Friends of WFP.  How do you make the link between your run and giving for global hunger clear to your friends?

Evan: Yes! And a big thanks to them! Some might say it’s called “me bugging people so much they give in and donate.”

But really I think it’s been more about people recognizing something I’m passionate about – running – and using it to raise awareness about another passion – ending world hunger – and people are supporting me in that quest. And I’m grateful for that support.

Many people know I’m running the marathon and know how hard I’ve been training. I figured, why not use this exposure to help where I can?

My ideal situation would be that for every mile I ran, a dollar would come in. Trust me, I would run for a long time if that was the case. Many people don’t like running and think I’m crazy for doing it as much as I do. So I’ve been telling them, “I’ll do the running, you do the giving.”

It was my goal all along to find a cause to run for, and I’m so happy it worked out with Friends of WFP. My running and marathon training takes up a lot of my time and I’ve come to a point in my life where I want to give back more. During marathon training, I don’t have much time to give back, so being able to run for world hunger really helped fulfill my marathon experience – to make it about more than just me.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to add?

Evan: As I’ve prepared for the NYC Marathon I’ve noticed many other people running for causes, too. It’s great, and it’s a side to marathon running I really didn’t know existed until I stepped in. There are fast people, slow people, famous people and average people all using the personal sacrifices they’ve made for something bigger. That’s really what I think the marathon is all about.

This whole experience for me has been quite a journey. And I’m thrilled I’ve made that journey with Friends of WFP.

Upon completing his many months of training and the marathon itself on November 1, Evan will have run about 1,000 miles in support of ending global hunger. Friends of WFP thanks Evan for his time and commitment to  support the United Nations World Food Program (WFP).  If you would like to support Evan’s cause, he’s asking for a donation of $1 per mile.

To support his campaign, please go here. All proceeds go to Friends of WFP and support WFP programs around the world.

Read Evan’s blog to hear more of his thoughts as he prepares for the NYC Marathon.

-Jessica Alatorre

Outreach Associate
Friends of WFP

Ambassador Michael Klosson discusses the Roadmap to End Global Hunger legislation in Congress

Ambassador Michael Klosson of Save the Children recently answered questions about the Roadmap to End Global Hunger. The Roadmap to End Global Hunger, H.R. 2817,  is legislation recently introduced into Congress. Read the full interview here.

- William Lambers 
Volunteer

Catholic Relief Services on the Roadmap to End Global Hunger

Just a few days ago, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) announced that the number of the world's hungry reached one billion -- an all-time, unprecedented high. The United States must act immediately to ensure that this number does not increase while looking to the future for a permanent hunger solution. Representatives Jo Ann Emerson (R-Mo.) and Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) have already set forth a blueprint for the U.S. government to take action. They introduced the Roadmap to End Global Hunger and Promote Food Security Act of 2009 (H.R. 2817). This legislation calls for the following: the creation of a White House office on global hunger and appointment of a hunger coordinator, the rebirth of the Congressional Select Committee on Hunger and the development and implementation of a comprehensive plan to alleviate world hunger.  

The Roadmap to End Global Hunger initiative is being led by a broad-based coalition, including Catholic Relief Services.  Bruce White, a food aid expert from Catholic Relief Services, was recently interviewed by author Bill Lambers about the importance of the Roadmap to End Global Hunger and what Americans can do to help.

Read Bruce White's Interview.  

Maria Reppas

Media Relations Manager

Friends of WFP

WFP Interviews Nick Kristof

New York Times columnist Nick Kristof has written several pieces on hunger and the impact of international food assistance programs.  He has traveled extensively across Africa and seen how hunger and poverty rip through developing countries, destroying livelihoods.  Nancy Roman, WFP's Director of Public Policy, Communications and Private Partnerships, recently spoke with Kristof to get his thoughts on the importance of child nutrition, school meals, girls' education, and his firsthand experiences with hunger in Africa.

Read the interview.

Maria Reppas

Media Relations Manager

Friends of WFP

Interview: Jakob Mikkelsen of the UN World Food Programme in Ethiopia

 by William Lambers

Imagine being a farmer in Ethiopia trying to grow enough food to support your family. A massive drought hits, ruining your crops. Livestock in your village lie dead in the fields from disease brought on by the excessive heat. After the drought finally ends, it is soon followed by another. Located in the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia has been hard hit recently by repeated droughts. Many families have lost their livestock and are unable to support themselves. This tragedy has been compounded by the "silent tsunami" of high food prices which struck in 2008.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) recently reported that drought and high food prices have pushed 12 million people into hunger. For struggling families, knowing that their child is ensured a meal at school is an important safety net in times of crisis. As part of a long-term strategy to eliminate the high poverty rate in the country, school feeding is essential. The World Food Programme is working to help make sure every child in Ethiopia can receive a school lunch. Jakob Mikkelsen, a WFP representative in Ethiopia, talks about the importance of school feeding.

How many children are benefiting from the WFP school feeding programs within the country?

WFP currently supports the Ethiopian Ministry of Health in providing school meals to 414,078 school children in six regions of the country (Afar, Amhara, Oromiya, Southern People’s Region, Somali, and Tigray), encompassing 130 districts and 770 schools. WFP and the Ministry of Education are planning to scale up the program in the Afar region this year.

Discuss what effect the meals have on the children in terms of school attendance, performance, and nutrition.

The average number of children enrolled in schools with school feeding programs increased by 7% from 2006 to 2007. The average attendance rate of WFP-assisted schools was 91.5% in 2007, which was above WFP’s goal of 90%. The focus on girls' education has led to an increase in enrollment and attendance rates for girls. The ratio of girls to boys enrolled in school increased by 7% from 2006 to 2007. Furthermore, the drop-out rate is lower in schools that have school feeding programs than the average in schools nationwide. The average drop-out rate nationwide is 11.25% for girls and 12.26% for boys, as compared to rates of 9% for girls and 11% for boys in WFP-assisted schools (2005/2006 Ministry of Education annual statistical abstract).

WFP implemented “Essential Package” activities in 2007 at more than 100 schools supported by school feeding. The “essential package” consists of activities such as training on de-worming, school gardens, and health and nutrition education.

Interview: Giorgia Testolin, Country Director of the World Food Programme - Djibouti

by William Lambers

In the Horn of Africa, the country of Djibouti struggles to produce its own food due to successive droughts. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) reports that Djibouti’s population of about 632,000 depends entirely on imported food. With high poverty and low education levels within the country, WFP has been implementing school feeding programs. Giorgia Testolin, Country Director of WFP Djibouti, talks about this Food for Education initiative.

How many children are benefiting from the WFP school feeding programs within the country?

For the 2008/2009 school year, we have about 10,000 pupils benefiting from the school feeding program. We also have 3,600 girls who benefit from take-home rations, which encourage girls to attend school. The program covers all 71 rural schools of Djibouti.

Discuss what effect the meals have on the children in terms of school attendance, performance, and nutrition.

In rural areas the school feeding program is essential to attract pupils to school. Many families are nomadic pastoralists who frequently move to find fresh pastureland for their livestock. These families have settled near the school to ensure that their children attend classes and are fed a regular meal. The school feeding program and take-home rations have been crucial in increasing school attendance for girls in rural areas.

What plans are there for making school meals available for all children?

School meals are currently available for all rural children, with no plans to change the program in the near future.