On December 15, WhyHunger hosted its 50th Anniversary Hungerthon Benefit Docu-Concert, raising more than $200,000 during the performance-packed night. 

The nonprofit was founded in 1975 by the late Harry Chapin and DJ Bill Ayres, and has spent the past five decades dedicated to its mission of ending food insecurity through artist activism. 

The Docu-Concert took place at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, New Jersey, and featured performances from artists like Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Van Zandt & The Disciples of Soul with Marc Ribler, Sameer Gadhia, Eric Cannata of Young the Giant, Yola, and many, many more. 

The night was full of talent-filled teamups; Yola joined Sameer Gadhia and Eric Cannata onstage for a cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground,” Bruce Springsteen joined Stevie Van Zandt & The Disciples of Soul with Marc Ribler for a number of songs, and Danny Clinch joined Garry Tallent on harmonica. 

Several artists also offered moving tributes throughout the Docu-Concert. Mark Barden joined Jimmy Vivino for a cover of Springsteen’s “I’ll See You in My Dreams,” dedicated to his son Daniel on the 13th anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Springsteen himself ventured into the audience to watch the performance. 

Additionally, Steve Chapin & The Original Harry Chapin Band, featuring Tom Chapin, Jen Chapin, and Randy C. Moore, honored the legacy of WhyHunger’s founder by taking to the stage together to sing a rendition of “Cat’s in the Cradle,” featuring video clips from Harry Chapin – Cat’s In the Cradle: The Song that Changed Our Lives, a new documentary directed by Rick Korn. 

The Hungerthon is an annual event, one of many various programs and events the organization puts together, and was sponsored by Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City and the Hard Rock Heals Foundation. Over the past three years, WhyHunger has invested $6.8 million in supporting sustainable and effective solutions to global hunger and has helped 3.5 million people access nutritious, local food.