New Orleans Artists Against Hunger and Homelessness: 25 Years!

I don't know if there is much significance about the year 1985.  All I know is that three great organizations were formed that year, two of them here in Albuquerque and another in New Orleans, which was my home for eight years. I already told you about the silver anniversaries for Surgite and St. Martin's Hospitality Center in Albuquerque.

Now let me tell you about the huge party that is planned in New Orleans on Sunday, Dec. 5, for a great organization called New Orleans Artists Against Hunger and Homelessness.  And no one can plan a party like New Orleans!  This is no ordinary party.  This is the Silver Anniversary of NOAAHH!

About NOAAHH
But before we give you details about the party, let me tell you a bit about NOAAHH.  The organization was founded in 1985 when Allen Toussaint, Grammy Trustee Award Recipient songwriter/musician, and Aaron Neville, Grammy Award winner and lead vocalist for the Neville Brothers, brought together a group of New Orleans musicians for the purpose of performing a concert to benefit the hungry and homeless of metro New Orleans.

There have been many other concerts since then, featuring artists and other VIPs from New Orleans and from outside the city. Check out this very impressive list   Some of these artists have their own sites

To date, more than $1 million have been distributed to charity since the first NOAAHH concert in 1985 and  over 50 grant recipients have benefited.

Very few people outside of New Orleans gave much thought to the problems of hunger and poverty in the city before Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005. In the aftermath of Katrina, the problem has worsened.  Here are some statistics provided by my friend Sandy Cordray, who has served on the board of NOAAHH.

• In 2010 the Food Research and Action Center reported that the New Orleans metro area had the eighth-highest rate of food hardship in the nation. Food hardship is defined as the lack of money to buy food that families need and is considerably worse for households with children.  Read more
• Nationwide, 3 million Americans - including 500,000 children - are homeless.  An estimated 17,000 to 19,000 men, women and children in the New Orleans area are homeless. Source: City of New Orleans:Healthcare for the Homeless Program

Backstage 2010

Okay, now you know about the problem, and you want to help.  And you are especially anxious to hear about this fundraiser party, called Backstage 2010.  

Here are the details:

Featuring NOAAHH Co-Founder
Allen Toussaint
Plus
Dr. John • Jimmy Buffett • Dave Bartholomew •  Jon Cleary • Irma Thomas
Little Freddie King • Deacon John and The Ivories and More!
Location: Generations Hall 6:00-10:00 p.m.
General Admission $100 • VIP Balcony $150
Students $50 at door with valid student ID

Order Tickets

If You Can't Go

Chances are that most folks reading this blog post are not going to be able to get to New Orleans on Dec. 5. (But don't you love even hearing about this great party!).   Here's what you can do.  You can  donate to NOAHH.

The New Orleans Walk for the Hungry offers another opportunity for you to show your support for efforts to address hunger and poverty in New Orleans.  The walk,  scheduled for Saturday, March 19, 2011, celebrates its 30th Anniversary (Silver Anniversary Plus Five)  this year.   Read about the 2010 Walk

For more information  about participating or donating contact Sister Jane Remson, director of Bread for the World New Orleans, 504.864.7434 or email – jfremson@loyno.edu

Address: The Twomey Center for Peace Through Justice  Loyola University New Orleans, Campus Box 12 New Oleans, LA 70118-3565