JOIN THE GLOBAL DINNER PARTY FOR A CAUSE
(Wellington, NZ) September 2009 ââ¬Â Stomachs are beginning to rumble as Eat So They Can, the global
fundraiser to help stop child poverty, draws near.
Eat So They Can is a Global Volunteer Network (GVN) Foundation initiative and invites citizens of the
world to take part in what is collectively one huge dinner party, and where something as simple as
sharing a meal with friends can help stop child poverty.
Hosts from Singapore to Switzerland, Australia to Alaska have joined the campaign and pledged their
support by organising an Eat So They Can event for their friends, family and work colleagues. The funds
raised at the events will go towards supporting orphanages and schools in Africa and South America,
providing disadvantaged children with the essentials for survival.
According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) 2009 statistics, 1.02 billion
people do not have enough to eat ââ¬Â more than the populations of USA, Canada and the European Union.
Colin Salisbury, GVN Founder and President, is encouraging everyone to get involved by joining the Eat
So They Can campaign and holding a dinner party, no matter how big or small, to help put an end to
child poverty.
“Please take a seat at the global dinner table by visiting the Eat So They Can website and signing up
today. By joining Eat So They Can you will have the chance to discuss issues facing the poorest children
around the world, the chance to spend time with friends, and the chance to make a difference.”
Mr Salisbury says that a grand prize trip to Kenya is up for grabs for one lucky host who joins the
campaign plus all hosts that raises over $20 000 will have the opportunity to travel to Africa with the
team and help distribute the funds.
“If you ‘eat so they can’ you will not only be giving the children of Africa the chance for a healthier and
happier future you will be giving yourself a chance to fly to Africa and visit the children too,” said Mr
Salisbury.
The fundraiser is in celebration of the United Nations World Poverty Day (October 17). GVN Foundation
was recently granted Special Consultative status by the United Nations.
GLOBAL HUNGER FACTS
• Every six seconds a child dies because of hunger and related causes;
(Source: State of Food Insecurity in the World, FAO, 2004)
• 1.02 billion people do not have enough to eat ââ¬Â more than the populations of USA, Canada and the
European Union;
(Source: FAO news release, 19 June 2009)
• The number of undernourished people in the world increased by 75 million in 2007 and 40 million in
2008, largely due to higher food prices;
(Source: FAO news release, 9 Dec 2008)
• 25,000 people (adults and children) die every day from hunger and related causes;
(Source: The State of Food Insecurity in the World, FAO)
The Eat So They Can campaign is a joint initiative by the Global Volunteer Network (GVN) and the Global
Volunteer Network Foundation (GVNââ¬ÂFoundation). GVN connects volunteers with communities in need.
The GVNââ¬ÂFoundation is the nonââ¬Âprofit arm of GVN and provides financial assistance to communities in
need.
For further information about Eat So They Can please visit: www.eatsotheycan.org
For further information about GVN, please follow this link: www.volunteer.org.nz
Media Contact: Lauren McMahon e: lauren@volunteer.org.nz t: +64 4 920 1450