London, 2009 – Hard Rock International is teaming up with several top musicians and bands for its 2009 global Imagine There’s No Hunger campaign to benefit WHY, a non-profit organization that strives to fight against hunger and poverty in America and around the world. On Tuesday, December 1st, Hard Rock Cafe London will host an exclusive IMAGINE THERE’S NO HUNGER benefit event and concert, headlined by soul singer JOSS STONE, who acted as global artist ambassador for the campaign in 2008.
“I’m really happy and excited to be able to be an Artist Ambassador once again for Hard Rock’s Imagine There’s No Hunger campaign and to lend my time and support to World Hunger Year, so that together we can try to put an end to world hunger,” said Joss Stone.
Also headlining is American rock band O.A.R., the 2009 global artist ambassador for the IMAGINE THERE’S NO HUNGER campaign, who climbed the U.S. music charts with hits such as “Shattered,” “This Town” and “Love is Worth the Fall.”
“We believe every human being has the right to thrive in this life,” said Marc Roberge of O.A.R. “By raising awareness and funds, we hope to get closer to an end of world hunger so that all people can one day enjoy these most basic of rights. We are honored to be working with Hard Rock International and WHY Hunger as Ambassadors for the ‘Imagine There’s No Hunger’ campaign.”
Joss Stone and O.A.R. will also be turning on the lights to Hard Rock Cafe London’s Holiday Tree before the doors open for this exclusive VIP event. Hard Rock’s invitation-only event will also feature appearances by several artists and other special guests who are committed to the cause. Baubles on the Holiday Tree are available for sponsorship with proceeds benefitting WHY. To purchase a bauble (price includes two tickets to the VIP event), please contact Niki Henville at Hard Rock Cafe London at 0207 514 1705.
Food for Rock . . .
Guests attending the exclusive, intimate benefit and concert event are encouraged to support the cause by bringing non-perishable food items to Hard Rock Cafe London, which will be donated to The Passage, a London based charity working with the homeless in the capital.
Setting the foundation for the 2009 IMAGINE THERE’S NO HUNGER campaign, Hard Rock has partnered with several top musicians and bands, including Campaign Ambassadors O.A.R., who donated a live track of “Lay Down” to the SERVE4 digital album, a project dedicated to serving those in need. Following John Lennon’s lead track “Gimme Some Truth,” donated by Yoko Ono Lennon, SERVE4 will also feature versions of rare, live or previously unreleased tracks from some of music’s top artists, including Starsailor, Elvis Costello, Low Anthem, Ocean Colour Scene, Uncle Kracker, The Raveonettes, Arno Carstens and more. SERVE4 is available at Hard Rock locations around the world and on www.hardrock.com, with digital downloads available at iTunes and Amazon.
Dedicated to Hard Rock’s LOVE ALL, SERVE ALL motto, 100% of net proceeds from SERVE4 and additional “Imagine There’s No Hunger” merchandise, as well as the event at Hard Rock Cafe London will directly benefit WHY and its grassroots partners around the globe that have developed ways to feed children worldwide who are victims of poverty and also teach them farming and entrepreneurial skills for the future.
Hard Rocks’ IMAGINE THERE’S NO HUNGER campaign also includes a charity bracelet and a limited-edition pin, featuring the powerful message “IMAGINE THERE’S NO HUNGER.” 100% of net proceeds from the campaign will be donated directly to WHY to benefit local charities, including the Common Ground Program and Pathfinder Academy both located in Kenya; the Pattanarak Foundation located in Thailand; City of Joy located in India; Yéle Haiti located in Haiti; Hope North located in Uganda; Roots and Shoots located in China; Project Bona Fide located in Nicaragua and Sentebale located in Lesotho.
For more information, please visit www.hardrock.com.
About The Passage
Our organisation maintains a Vincentian ethos, respecting the beliefs and cultures of all who use The Passage and work with us. 3,017 slept rough in London in 2008 – a 7% increase in two years. Our aim is to provide homeless people with support to transform their own lives. We welcome and treat clients with respect and dignity, find out what they need and want. We offer professional and appropriate advice and help according to the client needs and aspirations. We try to agree an action plan with clients which is time limited with the aim of supporting clients out of homelessness. The Passage continues to work mainly with rough sleepers. We are committed to helping homeless people to change their lives through the services we provide. We meet basic needs and offer advice. We help with resettlement and rehabilitation, including help with housing, literacy and numeracy, mental and physical health.
About WHY
WHY (World Hunger Year, Inc.) is dedicated to fighting the root causes of hunger and poverty by supporting grassroots organizations that create self-reliance, economic justice and equal access to nutritious and affordable food. Founded in 1975 by the late Harry Chapin and current Executive Director Bill Ayres, WHY works to put an end to hunger suffered by 36.2 million Americans and nearly 1 billion people worldwide.
WHY's main programs include the National Hunger Hotline 1-866-3-HUNGRY, which refers individuals in need of emergency food assistance to soup kitchens, food banks, government programs and community organizations in their neighborhoods; the Grassroots Action Network, which provides information, networking opportunities, capacity building and access to over 8,000 anti-hunger and poverty community organizations across the United States and around the world; and Artists Against Hunger & Poverty which is supported by Bruce Springsteen, Michael McDonald, Chicago, Earth Wind & Fire, Joss Stone, Darryl McDaniels, Jackson Browne, O.A.R, and many others. www.whyhunger.org.
About Hard Rock International
With a total of 157 venues in 53 countries, including 127 cafes and 12 Hotels/Casinos, Hard Rock International is one of the world's most globally recognized brands. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world's greatest collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock is also known for its collectible fashion and music-related merchandise, Hard Rock Live performance venues and an award-winning website. In addition to the two flagship Seminole Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos in Tampa and Hollywood, Fla., Hard Rock Hotels/Casinos are located in Las Vegas, Biloxi, Orlando, Chicago, San Diego, Pattaya, Bali, Macau and Penang. Additional hotel and casino projects have been announced in; Singapore and Punta Cana, scheduled to open in 2010; Panama, scheduled to open in 2012; and Atlanta, Hungary, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, scheduled to open in 2013. Hard Rock International is owned by Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment, Inc. For further details on Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos, visit www.hardrockhotels.com. For more information on Hard Rock International, visit www.hardrock.com.