On a Saturday morning in Queens, the field at Citi Field belonged to runners and walkers. WhyHunger’s third annual Hungerthon Hustle on November 7 drew 552 participants, on the course and virtually, and raised $603,819 for the nonprofit’s work against hunger, according to WhyHunger.
Kalen Allen, the actor, producer, singer and television personality, hosted. He opened the morning with remarks, joined the participants on the course and handed out prizes at the post-run celebration. Comedian and author Taryn Delanie Smith, actress Rachel Hilson and actor and creator Stephany Goulart joined him as special guests, and Mr. and Mrs. Met came out for photos.
Why 4.8K
The distance is the message. The run/walk covers 4.8 kilometers, one for every million of the 48 million Americans who, according to WhyHunger, struggled to put food on the table last year. The organization’s stated goal is to shrink both the number and the distance each year.
This year’s total tops the 2025 edition, co-hosted by chef Marcus Samuelsson, which raised $544,219. The event was co-chaired by Cindy Secunda, chair of WhyHunger’s board of directors, and Alysia Steinmann McWilliams of EY. Sponsors were the Secunda Family Foundation, SiriusXM Cares, Bloomberg Philanthropies, EY and Citi, with Citi Field as venue sponsor.
I have always believed that every person deserves the opportunity to dream beyond their circumstances and build a life that feels full of possibility. But how can we expect people to dream about tomorrow when they’re worried about where their next meal will come from today?
Kalen Allen
Allen said what he values most about the event is that it does not ask for a grand gesture. “Sometimes it starts with simply showing up,” he said. “Whether it’s running, walking, donating, or using your voice to spread the word, we all have something to contribute. Because I believe a world without hunger is possible, but it’s going to take all of us to make it happen. And everybody deserves a seat at the table.”
Jenique Jones, WhyHunger’s executive director, framed the turnout as proof of what people can do together. “With more than 550 runners and walkers joining us, the Hungerthon Hustle showed what collective action looks like,” she said. “The more than $603,000 raised so far will help WhyHunger support community-led solutions and address the root causes of hunger.”
The Start of Hungerthon Season
The Hustle opens Hungerthon, WhyHunger’s annual fundraising and awareness campaign, now in its 41st year. SiriusXM and iHeartMedia New York are longstanding radio partners, and Bruce Springsteen and Yoko Ono Lennon are among its artist ambassadors. Next on the calendar is the Amplified Hungerthon Concert at Webster Hall on December 1, headlined by Lucy Dacus with Infinity Song and special guest Julio Torres.
Earlier this year, the organization’s Chapin Gala honored Andra Day and Radiolab founder Jad Abumrad and raised more than half a million dollars, according to WhyHunger.
About WhyHunger
Founded in 1975 by the late singer-songwriter Harry Chapin and radio DJ Bill Ayres, WhyHunger funds and supports grassroots, community-led solutions to hunger and works to advance the right to nutritious food. The nonprofit says that over the last five years it has connected 6.6 million people to food and invested $9.6 million in community-led solutions in the United States and 24 other countries.
If you or someone you know needs help finding food: visit whyhunger.org/findfood, call the WhyHunger Hotline at 1-800-5-HUNGRY, or text your zip code to 1-800-548-6479. To support the organization, visit whyhunger.org.
See all sources
- Kalen Allen, Taryn Delanie Smith & More Raise $603K For WhyHunger’s 3rd Annual Hungerthon Hustle, WhyHunger via Shore Fire Media, 2026-11-09
- WhyHunger, organization website
