Action Against Hunger Honors Weight Watchers International at Benefit Gala

On October 30^th at its Annual Benefit Gala at Capitale in New York City, international NGO Action Against Hunger will honor its friends at Weight Watchers International with its 12^th annual Action Against Hunger Humanitarian Award. Weight Watchers' shares Action Against Hunger’s innovative commitment to good nutrition, and the company’s highly-effective Lose for Good campaign helps motivate members, while raising awareness about hunger. Campaign donations have topped $1.5 million, benefitting Action Against Hunger along with Share Our Strength, which focuses on domestic hunger. Action Against Hunger is proud to honor Weight Watchers International as its corporate honoree. The award will be presented to President & CEO David Kirchhoff, the evening of the Gala.

About the Humanitarian Award

The Action Against Hunger Humanitarian Award, now in its 12^th year, recognizes corporations and individuals whose philanthropy, public awareness efforts, or direct work in emergency settings has contributed significantly to the humanitarian field. Past recipients include Tyco International, filmmaker Terry George, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, President Nelson Mandela, journalist Anderson Cooper, actor Susan Sarandon, and the late author Frank McCourt, among others. This year's Action Against Hunger Humanitarian Award will be presented to corporate partner Weight Watchers International at our Annual Benefit Gala on October 30^th at Capitale in New York City.

About the Gala

The Gala promises to be an engaging evening celebrating Action Against Hunger’s highly effective work in the fight against world hunger, and shining a light on its opportunities to grow and do more. Guests will enjoy not one but two performances from internationally-renowned singer Imany, and see an amazing video about two supporters who pushed themselves to their physical limits to raise money for Action Against Hunger.

They’ll also be in for a very special treat, because this year’s gala auction is no usual affair. It couldn’t be, not with a man MSNBC dubbed “The mad-hatter of charity auctions,” CK Swett, at the auction’s helm. With his signature offbeat flair and irreverent sense of humor – not to mention a wardrobe of accessories like a cowboy hat and a gold cape – CK’s been burning up the charity auction scene since he first arrived two years ago. Even The New York Times finds him fascinating.

Among other amazing items, CK will be auctioning off a trip-of-a-lifetime to see Action Against Hunger’s programs in action, in Kenya. And in addition to the live auction, he’ll be presiding over the Wishing Well. The Wishing Well brings the promise of a better life to those who need it most: malnourished children and their families whose safety nets have disappeared. Guests will be invited to make gifts at fixed amounts that equate to making a tangible difference – e.g. saving 100 malnourished children, or installing an irrigation system to increase farm production for 40 families.

Proceeds from the evening will support Action Against Hunger's humanitarian programs in over 40 countries around the world.

For more on the Gala and to buy tickets, visit www.actionagainsthunger.org/gala.