John To Receive The ASCAP Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award June 5th
--GRAMMY Winner fêted for work with farm community-
WhyHunger — a leader in the movement to end hunger and advance the human right to nutritious food in the U.S. and around the world—will present singer-songwriter John Mellencamp with the ASCAP Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award during the 20th annual WhyHunger Chapin Awards on June 5, 2019 at City Winery in New York.
Mellencamp, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and recipient of the Woody Guthrie Award and the John Steinbeck Award, has used his music to document the ‘struggles of ordinary people seeking to make their way’ according to Rolling Stone. In 1985, he co-founded and organized Farm Aid, a groundbreaking concert to raise awareness and funds to strengthen America’s family farmers. He continues to serve on the organization’s board of directors.
“From his advocacy to his work with Farm Aid, John has continuously been a voice for promoting sustainable farming practices aimed at supporting farmers and their communities,” said Noreen Springstead, executive director, WhyHunger. “We are thrilled to recognize John. Not only does he embody the artist activist legacy of the Chapin Awards, but his decades long work to help build a just food system aligns well with WhyHunger’s mission to ensure the right to nutritious food for all.”
The ASCAP Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award shines a spotlight on artists who have proven their commitment to striving for social justice and creating real change in combatting hunger worldwide. Over the past 20 years, WhyHunger has honored a cadre of artists at their annual Chapin Awards including Harry Belafonte, Pete Seeger, Barbra Streisand, Yoko Ono Lennon, Tom Morello, Jon Batiste, Jackson Browne, Judy Collins, Emmylou Harris, Darryl 'DMC' McDaniels, Michael McDonald, Peter, Paul & Mary, and Kenny Rogers.
Emceed by Pete Dominick, comedian and host of SiriusXM’s Stand Up with Pete Dominick, the Chapin Awards gala raises critical funds to support WhyHunger’s work to end hunger and advance the human right to nutritious food in the U.S. and around the world.
To learn more about the WhyHunger Chapin Awards gala and to purchase tickets,
visit
whyhunger.org/chapinawards.
About WhyHunger
Founded in 1975 by the late Harry Chapin and radio DJ Bill Ayres, WhyHunger
believes a world without hunger is possible. We provide critical resources to
support grassroots movements and fuel community solutions rooted in social,
environmental, racial and economic justice. WhyHunger is working to end hunger
and advance the human right to nutritious food in the U.S. and around the world.
Learn more at whyhunger.org.