The World Food Programme and Feeding America Partner With The Hunger Games

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- One month before the release of the much-anticipated film The Hunger Games, the cast and producers are teaming up with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and Feeding America to raise awareness about hunger in the United States and around the world, with the launch of a video public service announcement and a new website wfp.org/hungergames.

Lionsgate®, WFP and Feeding America today announced the partnership and debuted a video spot with the movie's stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth that urges fans to help end hunger.

Hunger is the world's greatest solvable problem, affecting 1 in 7 people - almost one billion men, women and children around the world.  In the United States, 1 in 6 Americans face hunger, nearly 49 million people.  For just $5 a month, Feeding America and WFP can help provide at least 20 meals to a child in need.

"This partnership will help us spread the word that hunger is the world's greatest solvable problem," said Nancy Roman, Director of Communications of WFP, adding that millions of readers identified with the characters in The Hunger Games trilogy and are excited about the upcoming movie.

"We want to tap into that excitement...If all of us did just one small thing to fight hunger we could end hunger around the world.  We are deeply grateful for the support of Suzanne Collins, who writes as though she understands hunger in the world, as well as Lionsgate and The Hunger Games cast - who have the power to change lives as they feed people worldwide."

"Unlike the characters in The Hunger Games, we do not live in a country in which food is scarce.  There is enough food to feed everyone living in the U.S., but it's not getting to millions of low-income people who need it," said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO, Feeding America.  "Thanks to our partnership with Lionsgate, The Hunger Games will help us expand much needed public awareness of the issue and encourage people to join Feeding America in our commitment to helping ensure that everyone has enough to eat."

The Hunger Games partnership will engage fans of the book and movie and enable them to make a difference through a website, wfp.org/hungergames.  On the website users can watch the public service announcement featuring the stars of the film.  They can participate in a Hunger Quiz to learn more about hunger. Supporters can also make a donation to actively become a part of the solution and help solve world hunger.

To learn more, visit wfp.org/hungergames.

The Hunger Games will be released by Lionsgate®  in U.S. theatres on March 23, 2012. It is the first film based on the runaway bestselling book series by Suzanne Collins that has become a cultural phenomenon worldwide.

The World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. Each year, on average, WFP feeds more than 90 million people in more than 70 countries. In the U.S., money raised will go to the World Food Program USA, a non-profit organization that builds support in the U.S. to end global hunger.  WFP USA engages individuals and organizations, shapes public policy and generates resources for the United Nations World Food Program and other hunger relief operations.

Feeding America is the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity. Feeding America  network members supply food to more than 37 million Americans each year, including 14 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks support 61,000 agencies that address hunger in all of its forms.  

For more information please contact:
Kate Piliero, Lionsgate, ([email protected]), Tel 310-255-4064
Bettina Luescher, WFP/New York, Tel. +1 646-556-6909, Mob. +1 646-824-1112 ([email protected])
Ross Fraser, Director of Media Relations, Feeding America, ([email protected]), Tel +1 (312) 642-6422

SOURCE Feeding America