5 Days, 20 States, 50,000 Smiles in Homeless Shelters Nationwide
48 million Americans go hungry every day. Nearly 20% of those are seniors. 1 out of every 3 is a child. 72% of American food banks and shelters are unable to meet the overwhelming demand.
Online, June 25, 2013 (Newswire.com) - Despite misconceptions to the contrary, hunger is not just a third world or faceless issue. 1 out of every 6 American households experiences hunger daily. Chances are one of those households could be right next door to you, or they could be a co-worker, or they might even be a friend or family member. They are people living paycheck to paycheck, seniors living on benefits, individuals and families struggling to make ends meet in today's economy. The hunger crisis in America has reached critical proportions. Many affected are too ashamed to voice their needs and are living in desperation and despair.
A Slice of Hope is a national non-profit organization that seeks to bring awareness and solution to the "hunger epidemic" right here in the US. Sponsoring grassroots events across the country every June to support and honor the efforts of local food banks and shelters working in their communities to combat the growing tide of US poverty, homelessness and hunger. This year A Slice of Hope hopes to expand its reach and bring its program to at least one local food bank or shelter in every state across the country. They will also spread their message and fundraising online via celebrity memorabilia auctions on eBay.
Their weeklong initiative created 50,000 moments of joy in shelters nationwide from June 16th - June 22nd.
The organization, founded by NY-based Bollywood celebrity Obaid Kadwani, seeks to feed the body and the soul by creating a day of uplifting celebration and motivation; offering not just a hot meal, but entertainment, information, and emotional support to individuals seeking a better life. "It is equally important to energize the spirit while feeding the body. We fill the shelters with live music, which inspires, moves and heals people."says Kadwani, "We commend the shelters and food banks across the country for combating hunger and hopelessness is a daily, hourly, minute-by-minute reality. Every week should be "Hunger Awareness Week" until we finally reach the week where no one in America goes hungry!"
Other Facts & Figures:
States experiencing the highest rate of hunger: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina and Texas.
States experiencing the lowest rate of hunger: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Dakota, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
*Facts & figures compiled by USDA (US Department of Agriculture)
A Slice of Hope™ is a project of non-profit eyeBLINK. Founded in 2003 by actor Obaid Kadwani, eyeBLINK is a multicultural not-for- profit 501(c)3 organization committed to shattering stereotypes and promoting social change through theatre, dance, and special events. WWW.ASLICEOFHOPE.ORG
2013 Events
June 17th
New York - St. John's Bread & Life (Brooklyn)
New York - Resurrection Church in Greenpoint (Brooklyn)
Connecticut - Malta House (East Norwalk)
Missouri - Haven of Grace (St. Louis)
New Jersey - St. Lucy's Shelter (Jersey City)
Oregon - Portland Rescue Mission
Tennessee - Barron Heights Transitional Center (Memphis)
June 18th
Illinois - Door of Hope Rescue Mission (Chicago)
New Jersey - Market Street Mission (Morristown)
June 19th
Arizona - UMOM New Day Centers (Phoenix)
California - ePath (Los Angeles)
Colorado - Denver Rescue Mission
New Jersey - Goodwill Rescue Mission (Newark)
New York - Love Kitchen (Manhattan)
Oklahoma - IronGate Tulsa (Tulsa)
Texas - Star of Hope Mission (Houston)
June 20th
New Jersey - Eva's Village (Paterson)
New York - New York City Rescue Mission (New York City)
New York - Grand Central Neighborhood (Manhattan)
Pennsylvania - Life Center of Eastern Delaware (Upper Darby)
South Carolina - The Women's Shelter (Columbia)
June 21st
Maine - Preble Street Teen Center (Portland)
Maryland - Bae Gaddy's Women & Children Center (Baltimore)
Michigan - Oasis (Highland Park)
Minnesota - Sharing & Caring Hands/Mary's Place (Minneapolis)
New Jersey - St. James Social Services (Newark)
Florida - Orlando Rescue Mission (Phoenix)
June 22nd
Florida - Christian Service Center (Orlando)
Massachusetts - St. Francis House (Boston)
Nevada - Calvary Downtown Outreach (Las Vegas)
June 25th
New York - Project Hospitality (Staten Island)