Video Depicts Hunger as a Problem Not Without a Solution
In conjunction with World Food Day, Feeding America®, the nation’s largest hunger-relief and food rescue organization, released a new video, “Hidden Hunger,” designed to raise awareness about hunger and wasted food in America. The video short depicts a mother and son on a typical day and the hardship they face when food is scarce.
More than 41 million people, including 13 million children, face hunger in the United States according to the most recent food insecurity report by USDA. At the same time, 72 billion pounds of safe, wholesome food ends up in America’s landfills each year.
A major theme of the video was to underscore the reality that more half of the households served by Feeding America report at least one working adult. Additionally, the video showcases the tremendous potential to reduce hunger by increasing efforts to eliminate food waste.
“Many people associate hunger with homelessness, but that is only a small portion of the people who are hungry in America,” said Catherine Davis, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer at Feeding America. “Often, they are neighbors or the people we see every day, but we simply don’t know that they don’t have enough food for themselves or their families. We wanted to call attention to that reality and how we can help."
The brand video was filmed in Chicago using local talent. Amanda Speva and Anna Kate Roche co-wrote the project, which was developed conceptually with Feeding America and produced by Optimus.
"We were very fortunate with this project that so many talented people got involved just because they were passionate about this cause,” said Speva, the video’s director. “It was so rewarding and enjoyable to be a part of the development process in addition to the creative process for such a critical issue.”
“We love how it turned out,” Roche, creative director for the video, added. “We hope it educates more people on the reality of hidden hunger and inspires them to help out.”
The video will be distributed digitally on Feeding America’s owned channels with :30 and :60 versions available. In addition, the video will be shared with the 200 member food banks in Feeding America’s network.
Kent Eikenberry, President/CEO of the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank said, “The video is very powerful with so many theme lines running through it. I commend Feeding America for their efforts to shine a light on the issue of hunger that is often misunderstood or overlooked in America.”
Visit http://www.feedingamerica.org/hiddenhunger to watch the video and learn more about hunger in America.
CREDITS FOR “HIDDEN HUNGER”:
Director: Amanda Speva
Creative Director: Anna Kate Roche
Writers: Anna Kate Roche and Amanda Speva
Production Company: One at Optimus
Executive Producer: Lisa Masseur
Head of Production: Dave Buehrle
Line Producer: Stacey Nuzbach
Cinematographer: Jason Chiu
1st AC: Ian McAvoy
Production Manager: Mia Reggi
Art Director: Chris Carini
Art Assistant: Calvin Small
Gaffer: Steven Wester
Wardrobe: Bethany Kaufman
PA: Gus Murray
PA: Sara Osborne
PA: Jaci Klein
PA: Emmet Kilmer
PA: Jon Benson
Casting: PR Casting
Camera: Keslow Camera
Julie: Alyssa Thordarson
Son: Brady Perkins
Cleaning Lady: Judy Tatar
Original Music: Comma Music
Executive Producer: Bonny Dolan
Composer: Amanda August
Post: Optimus
Editor: Dana Huiras
Assistant Editor: Lindsay Rynne
Colorist: Ron Sudul
Assistant Colorist: Alex Frankland
Audio Engineer: Marina Bacci
Assistant Audio Engineer: Zach Scheitlin
Executive Producer: Brian Hrastar
Producer: Jenny McDonald
Assistant Producer: Rachel Burke
Contact
Please contact one of our media representatives or call 800-771-2303
About Feeding America
Feeding America® is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States. Through a network of more than 200 food banks, 21 statewide food bank associations, and over 60,000 partner agencies, food pantries and meal programs, we helped provide 5.3 billion meals to tens of millions of people in need last year. Feeding America also supports programs that prevent food waste and improve food security among the people we serve; brings attention to the social and systemic barriers that contribute to food insecurity in our nation; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Visit www.feedingamerica.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
