WhyHunger is recognizing the philanthropic efforts of Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo with the ASCAP Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award. The duo will be honored at the 50th anniversary of the Chapin Awards Gala on June 4 at the Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City.
The Harry Chapin Award, named after the late American singer-songwriter, recognizes artists who have used their global influence to inspire change and foster social justice. WhyHunger is a global nonprofit dedicated to ending hunger and advancing the human right to nutritious food, and has previously honored such acts as Barbra Streisand, Elvis Costello, Emmylou Harris, Grace Potter, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, Harry Belafonte, Jackson Browne, Jason Mraz, John Mellencamp, Jon
Batiste, Judy Collins and Pete Seeger.
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The evening will bring together artists, activists, and supporters for a cocktail reception, dinner,
and live music, all in support of WhyHunger’s mission to end hunger and its root causes. Additional honorees will be announced in coming weeks.
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“We are deeply honored to receive the ASCAP Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award and to stand
alongside WhyHunger in their tireless fight to end hunger,” Benatar and Giraldo said. “Music
has always been a powerful force for change, and we believe in using our voices not just to
entertain, but to inspire action. WhyHunger’s mission aligns with our lifelong commitment to
justice and equity, and we are proud to support their work in ensuring that nutritious food is a
fundamental right for all.”
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees are also four-time Grammy award winners known for such songs as “We Belong,” “Invincible,” “Love Is A Battlefield,” “Promises In The Dark,” “We Live For Love,” “Heartbreaker,” and “Hell Is For Children.”
“As we celebrate WhyHunger’s 50th anniversary and reflect on our collective journey to end
hunger and advance the human right to nutritious food, it’s important to uplift those who have
helped lead the way,” said Jenique Jones, WhyHunger’s executive director. “Honoring Pat
Benatar and Neil Giraldo with the ASCAP Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award is a testament to
their unwavering commitment to social justice and their powerful influence in igniting change
through music. We are thrilled to recognize their contributions at this year’s Chapin Awards Gala
as we recommit ourselves to this work together.”
