Jewish-American Nonprofit Kicks Off Tour to Educate Americans on World Hunger

MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending world hunger in the U.S. and Israel. An initiative birthed by Leonard “Leibel” Fein in 1985, MAZON is continuing to work with policy makers to strengthen federal nutrition programs, confront emerging issues, educate communities about the realities and impact of hunger, and partner with organizations with similar goals to promote long-term solutions, according to the organization’s website.

MAZON says that hunger affects 42.4 million people (one in eight Americans), 13.1 million of whom are children and 5.7 million of whom are the elderly. The organization launched its most recent initiative, “This is Hunger.” With this initiative, MAZON is touring the country and giving people the opportunity to participate in a two-part solution to end world hunger. “Illuminate” is part one of the solution, where the organization invites participants to come onto the truck and sit at a communal table to virtually learn about and meet people who are struggling with hunger. During this stage, “portraits are projected at each end of the table, one by one, as they share their stories in their own words" and voices. “Advocate” is part two of the solution, where these people are invited to engage in activities to “deepen their awareness about the complexities of being hungry.” At this point, participants are invited to take part of the solution by joining the organization in educating and advocating for change.

Here’s what MAZON has to say about world hunger and how its initiative fits into the balance of things:

“We know all too well that there are persistent myths about hunger in America, about who is hungry and why. Until our nation recognizes the profound prevalence of hunger here at home, we will never be able to rally the political will required to end it. That's why we are launching the public tour of This Is Hunger, a powerful community engagement program that will encourage individuals to embark on a journey—one that that will challenge their beliefs about who in America struggles with hunger and why and empower them to take action.” — MAZON

The “This is Hunger” tour kicks off today in New Jersey, where the organization will stay to educate and advocate until Apr. 5. Their next stop is in New York City area, where they will stay from Apr. 8 to Apr. 28. To get tickets and see where else they will be stopping, check out their website.

Image via MAZON

Has your organization used a strategy like this to promote your mission and raise awareness? What are your thoughts?