Eat Right With WHY

I can't decide whether it's tacky or apropos to start off saying that the food at WHY Hunger's annual dinner, held Monday, was by far the most fabulous I've ever eaten at a sit-down event? Well it was. There, I said it.

Between courses of delicious — yet unpretentious — near works of art (see the dessert pictured below … yes, I photographed the ice cream), a range of activists and artists took the stage and addressed the importance of ensuring the basic human right of access to nourishing food. From protecting our farmlands to aiding poverty-stricken families, WHY Hunger is tackling the root causes of hunger in our backyard and beyond.

Honoree Wyclef Jean was presented with the Harry Chapin Humanitarian award by legendary musician, activist and symbol of peace, Harry Belafonte. I was sincerely starstruck. A former recipient of the same honor, Belafonte has given his life, heart and soul to championing civil rights and global rights causes. When the native Jamaican (whose "Banana Boat Song" — Day-O! — will forever be associated in my mind with evil cocktail shrimp a la Beetlejuice) presented his dear friend, native Haitian Wyclef, with the award, much love and respect flooded the room.

Wyclef gave props to Belafonte's "swag" — demonstrating the smooth strut that makes women swoon — and his gratitude for the WHY honor. He told an extraordinary story of his youth in Haiti, eating red dirt when there was no food to be found, shooting pigeons with slingshots to try to gather meat … and occasionally spotting what he and his friends believed to be a giant bird capable of feeding the whole village. He was never able to bring down what he later learned was an airplane, but he kept his commitment to aiding the hungry and impoverished in his homeland.

Host Tom Chapin and Jen Chapin, brother and daughter of the late music legend and tireless WHY supporter Harry Chapin, opened and closed the night with beautiful folk songs that guests couldn't help but sing along to. Later, Growing Power founder, executive director and honoree Will Allen knocked the wind out of the audience with statistics on the state of farming in the United States. Acknowledging that there are one million fewer farmers than in 1960 and the rapid rise of nutrition-related health concerns in urban communities, Allen is committed to creating new models for bringing fresh, healthy and sustainable food sources to lower-income communities that don't seek the luxury of high-end grocery stores and organic farmers markets.

Live calypso music in the background, a killer auction (including a very special donated item from jewelers Alex and Ani!) and shout-outs to extraordinary nonprofits and programs — just a few of the 7,500 with whom WHY collaborates — who are leading the way in ensuring well-fed communities across our country. When a nonprofit shrugs off territorially claiming the spotlight and instead credits grassroots movements making headway, it's a sure sign that they are deeply committed to the cause, regardless who's doing the footwork in a given region.

Still, with a National Hunger Hotline, millions of dollars funneled to the cause, and high profiled artists championing the work, there's no doubt that WHY is doing some serious footwork.

The event was beautiful, a true success. And I picked up not one, but two, Rice Krispies treats — dipped in chocolate sauce, no less — on my way out the door. Sweet end to a perfect night.