Amid Escalating Need, Gala Aims to Alleviate Funding Gap and Support Innovation
With nearly one in 11 people around the world facing hunger, Action Against Hunger tonight will host a gala to raise lifesaving funds and honor champions who are advancing the cause. Actress Viola Davis, critically acclaimed artist, activist, producer, philanthropist, and New York Times best-selling author, will receive Action Against Hunger’s Humanitarian Award for her efforts to champion food security and health for children.
The event, which focuses on 45 years of innovation, will be emceed by Mo Rocca, celebrated correspondent for CBS Sunday Morning, frequent panelist on NPR’s “Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me,” and co-author of the New York Times best-selling book Roctogenerians: Late in Life Debuts, Comebacks and Triumphs.
“As the host of Innovation Nation, I’ve been dazzled and dumbfounded by hundreds of gizmos, gadgets and inventions. But I’m especially impressed by novel ways to approach complex problems like global hunger. It’s hard to think of a more important crisis to solve,” Mo Rocca said. “So it’s a particular pleasure to help Action Against Hunger raise awareness and funds.”
Farida “Frida” Gadzhimirzaeva, Action Against Hunger’s Deputy Regional Director for Central America, and her team will be recognized for her passionate efforts championing food security across the region. Together, they have pioneered innovative efforts that range from climate-smart agriculture to a real-time database for tracking hunger levels.
IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, will be recognized as the 2024 Corporate Honoree for its longstanding efforts to improve food security. A supporter of Action Against Hunger’s nutrition programs, IHG Hotels & Resorts is working to grow awareness of hunger and to engage millions of guests around the world.
The funds raised will support Action Against Hunger’s work in 59 countries and efforts to innovate sustainable ways to prevent hunger and respond in times of crisis. Individual donations are critical: Action Against Hunger’s 2024 Hunger Funding Gap analysis revealed a 65% gap between funding requests for hunger-related programs in countries dealing with crisis levels of hunger, up 23% from the previous year.
“The world produces enough food for everyone, so hunger isn’t just an issue of food; it’s an issue of equity. Food is a basic human right, and we believe everyone should enjoy a life free from hunger,” said Dr. Charles Owubah, CEO of Action Against Hunger. “We are grateful to Viola Davis for her longstanding work in spotlighting this crisis and sharing her own experience dealing with hunger as a child. Leadership like hers is critical to raising awareness and sparking change. Together, we can create a world where every life is well nourished.”
The gala will provide attendees the chance to learn more about the ways that global hunger is deeply interrelated to other urgent issues such as the climate crisis and conflict. It also will feature live music and a live auction.
Limited tickets for the charity gala are available for purchase via Action Against Hunger’s website. For those unable to attend, donations can be made directly through the website.
