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Yoko Ono Lennon joins Hard Rock, WhyHunger to 'Imagine' a world without hunger

by jmaloni

Submitted

Sat, Nov 8th 2014 09:25 am

"Imagine There's No Hunger" campaign invites fans to fight poverty and world hunger

In his iconic song "Imagine," John Lennon asked us all to picture a world free from hunger. In support of that mission, Yoko Ono Lennon has joined Hard Rock International and WhyHunger for the seventh year of the "Imagine There's No Hunger" campaign, which aims to turn John's dream into our future.

To date, "Imagine" has helped communities grow enough food to provide more than 9.7 million nutritious meals to children, and supported programs that taught more than 27,600 community members techniques for sustained food production. This year, "Imagine" is aiming to hit a program milestone of 10 million meals locally produced and served.

From November through December, a portion of the retail price from the sale of Hard Rock's limited-edition "Imagine" merchandise will directly benefit WhyHunger and its fight against childhood hunger and poverty. Additionally, guests at Hard Rock cafés, hotels and casinos can donate $2 to feed a child for a day, $5 to feed a child for a week, $10 to start a family or community garden, and $20 to start a school garden program. Funds raised will go directly to support sustainable agriculture education and nutritional feeding programs around the world.

"As someone who has seen and experienced hunger personally, it's so important for me to help get the message out that millions of people need our support," Yoko said. "Through 'Imagine,' Hard Rock and WhyHunger are making great strides to bring us a future free from hunger where nutritious food is a human right."

"At Hard Rock, we care about the world around us, and we believe our mottos are more than just the words on our walls - they are guiding principles for our actions," said Hamish Dodds, president and CEO of Hard Rock International, and "Global Ambassador" for WhyHunger. "The 'Imagine' campaign allows us to connect with individuals looking to obtain agriculture education, access to land, legal assistance or financial support, to feed themselves and sustain their families and communities on an ongoing basis."

True to Hard Rock's mottos, "Love All, Serve All" and "Take Time to be Kind," philanthropy has been the soul of the brand since its founding in 1971. Hard Rock is committed to a wide variety of philanthropic causes and activities around the world. "Imagine" reaches children and families in 20 countries and has raised more than $6.4 million to help fight childhood hunger.

"Our long-term collaboration with Yoko Ono Lennon and Hard Rock serves as an excellent platform to provide support to our grassroots partners all around the world," said WhyHunger cofounder and executive director Bill Ayres. "Our partnership allows us to tap into Hard Rock's global network to make a difference in all corners of the world."

In addition, the "Imagine There's No Hunger" program will raise funds and awareness for WhyHunger in a variety of ways. Music legends The Doobie Brothers and "Sound of Change" reggae-rock stars the Dirty Heads will serve as Hard Rock's "Imagine" artist ambassadors in the U.S., along with local artists performing at live music events around the world.

Through the "Imagine There's No Hunger" campaign, every dollar will make a difference. Hard Rock is offering limited-edition "Imagine There's No Hunger" merchandise, available exclusively at Rock Shops at Hard Rock properties around the world and online at www.hardrock.com.

Additionally, to reward those who have dedicated their time to others through community and worldwide charitable acts, Hard Rock will give guests a chance to win a philanthropic trip to one of WhyHunger's global charity partners. Guests may enter by submitting a photo and caption that represents their charitable work. The winner will be announced online and will be invited on a site visit with a guest in 2015.

Fans worldwide are encouraged to share their "Imagine" experiences by posting messages, photos and videos via the official social media channels for the 2014 "Imagine There's No Hunger" campaign: Facebook.com/HardRock or Twitter.com/HardRock, and hashtag #IMAGINENOHUNGER.

For more information, visit www.hardrock.com/IMAGINE.

WhyHunger is a leader in building the movement to end hunger and poverty by connecting people to nutritious, affordable food, and by supporting grassroots solutions that inspire self-reliance and community empowerment. Founded in 1975 by Ayres and the late Harry Chapin, WhyHunger works to put an end to hunger suffered by 49 million Americans and nearly 805 million people worldwide.

WhyHunger'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 nutrition programs and community organizations in their neighborhoods; the Grassroots Action Network, which provides information, networking opportunities, capacity building and access to more than 8,000 anti-hunger and poverty community organizations across the U.S. 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.

For more information, visit www.whyhunger.org.

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