Photo: Roy Rochlin

On Wednesday, June 4, WhyHunger–the nonprofit committed to ending the hunger crisis by aiding human rights to nourishing food–held its 50th anniversary during the Annual Chapin Awards Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York City. The spirited occasion presents live performances and a charitable angel, which accounted for over $600,000 in donations by the night’s end. 

Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo were among the performers who graced the stage. The couple has been involved with the charity for 30 years and received the ASCAP Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award, which recognizes artists who use their platforms to aid social justice. After accepting their award, they played a short acoustic set, including their 1983 hit, “Love Is A Battlefield.”

Members of the Fab Faux and musical director Will Lee delivered specialty performances and appearances by fellow artists, Willie Nile, Will Calhoun, Tash Neal, Jen Chapin, and The Chapin Sisters. At the end of the event, the guests of honor, Fab Faux, and descendants of Harry Chapin came together to perform his iconic classic, “Circles.” 

“What an incredible night! We were honored and humbled to receive the ASCAP Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award and celebrate the 50th anniversary of WhyHunger at the Chapin Awards Gala,” Benatar and Giraldo shared via press release. “The evening was filled with love, hope and good humans dedicated to the service of others. We’re in this together and together we can make miracles happen.” 

The pair’s Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award status arrives after fellow greats like Barbra Streisand, Elvis Costello, Emmylou Harris, Grace Potter, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, Harry Belafonte, Jackson Browne, Jason Mraz, John Mellencamp, Jon Batiste, Judy Collins, Pete Seeger, and Michael Franti, were bestowed the accord. 

“As we celebrate WhyHunger’s 50th anniversary and reflect on our collective journey to end hunger and advance the human right to nutritious food, it’s important to uplift those who have helped lead the way,” said Jenique Jones, WhyHunger’s Executive Director. “We are thrilled to recognize our honorees’ contributions at this year’s WhyHunger Chapin Awards Gala as we recommit ourselves to this work together. Looking ahead, we remain driven by the urgency of this moment and inspired by the possibilities of what we can achieve—together—with bold action, deep partnerships, and the unwavering belief that a hunger-free future is possible.”

WhyHunger is a non-profit founded by Harry Chapin and radio DJ Bill Ayres in 1975 to combat hunger at its root. Since its conception, the charity has spread across the United States and 24 countries. By providing training, funding, and other resources to grassroots organizations and social movements, WhyHunger helps forge bonds between communities affected by social, economic, and racial inequalities and organizations dedicated to making nutritious food accessible to all.