Chef Marcus Samuelsson Co-Hosts WhyHunger’s 2nd Annual Hungerthon Hustle 5K
On Giving Tuesday, Dec 2 At NYC’s Citi Field
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NEW YORK – November 20, 2025 – WhyHunger, a global nonprofit working to end hunger and the injustices that cause it, announced details for its 2nd annual Hungerthon Hustle at NYC’s Citi Field on Giving Tuesday, December 2, 2025. Co-host Chef Marcus Samuelsson will kick off the event with opening remarks, join participants on the course, and present the winning prize during the post-run celebration. Mr. and Mrs. Metwill also be onsite for photo opportunities.
Co-chaired by EY Metro New York Office Managing Partner & 33-time marathon runner Alysia Steinmann, the 5K benefit run/walk distance reflects the nearly 50 million Americans facing hunger, with the goal of shrinking the number and distance each year. Register here for the NYC event or join virtually through fitness apps. The 2025 Hungerthon Hustle is sponsored by Bloomberg Philanthropies, SiriusXM, EY, Boost Mobile, and Wonder with venue sponsor Citi Field.
Tuesday, December 2 @ Citi Field
8:00 AM ET: Registration Opens in Citi Field Parking Grounds
9:00 AM ET: Opening Remarks
9:30 AM ET: Ceremonial start
9:35-10AM ET: Heats 1-4 for Walkers & Runners
10:00 AM ET: Heineken Diamond Lounge Opens
11:30 AM ET: Award Ceremony & After Party in Heineken Diamond Lounge
The Hungerthon Hustle is one part of WhyHunger’s 40th Annual Hungerthonfundraiser and awareness campaign. Longstanding radio partners SiriusXM and iHeartMedia New York, artist ambassadors like Bruce Springsteen, Yoko Ono Lennonand SAINt JHN, and supporters can help end hunger and champion the right to nutritious food for all through Hungerthon events, celebrity auctions, partnerships and more. Donations accepted at Hungerthon.org.
“Each year, nearly 50 million people in America– including 14 million children – don't get enough to eat. That’s a staggering number in the world’s wealthiest nation, and this crisis isn’t slowing down. Nutritious food is a fundamental human right, not a privilege,” said Jenique Jones, WhyHunger’s executive director. “In the face of safety net cuts and growing need, our Hungerthon partnerships and the thousands of supporters who donate, participate and amplify the message are more important than ever. Hunger can’t wait. Together, we have the power to demand – and make – change. A hunger-free tomorrow starts with all of us, today.”
For four decades, WhyHunger’s Hungerthon has been an engine powering community solutions to hunger that work. Last year’s campaign raised more than $1 million through celebrity involvement, auctions, and merchandise. For more information and to support this year’s Hungerthon, visit Hungerthon.org and follow the conversation on social media using #Hungerthon.
Earlier this year, WhyHunger celebrated its 50th anniversary at its Annual Chapin Awards Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York City, raising over $600,000 to help end hunger and injustice at its root. In the last five years, WhyHunger has connected 5.3 million people to food and invested $10.8 million in community-led solutions globally. The nonprofit works in 24 countries around the globe to end hunger and advance the human right to nutritious food for all.
If you or someone you know needs assistance finding healthy meals, visit whyhunger.org/findfood, call the WhyHunger Hotline at 1(800) 5-HUNGRY, or text your zip code to 1-800-548-6479.
To learn more about WhyHunger and how you can support the movement to end hunger, visit whyhunger.org and follow on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X and TikTok.
About WhyHunger
Founded in 1975 by the late Harry Chapin and radio DJ Bill Ayres, WhyHunger funds and supports community solutions to protect the human right to food. In nearly five decades of innovation and evolution, our programs and our grassroots partners in 24 countries have expanded agricultural practices that are better for the planet, helped communities address the root causes of hunger, and ensured access to nutritious food for millions of people. As a grassroots support organization, we stand behind the leadership of the people most impacted by hunger and injustice. We prioritize providing resources to support the rights of communities who have been historically excluded from defining and controlling their food systems. We advocate for workers’ rights and champion agroecological food production that unites science and sustainability with Indigenous knowledge and wisdom. Together we can build socially and economically just food systems that nourish all people and the environment.
Chef Marcus Samuelsson
Marcus Samuelsson is the esteemed chef behind many restaurants worldwide, including Red Rooster Harlem and Red Rooster Overtown in Miami; Hav & Mar in the Chelsea Arts District; Metropolis at the Perelman Performing Arts Center in lower Manhattan; “Marcus” restaurants in Atlanta and New Jersey, plus several international locations. Samuelsson was the youngest person ever to receive a three-star review from The New York Times. He has won eight James Beard Foundation Awards and was the guest chef for the Obama Administration’s first state dinner. In 2023, Marcus earned an Emmy Award for the Short Form Program “My Mark.” He is a longstanding judge and TV personality on the hit Food Network show Chopped, head judge of Top Chef: Family Style, and an Iron Chef on Netflix’s rebooted Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend. He is the author of multiple books including The New York Times bestseller Yes, Chef: A Memoir, as well as the critically acclaimed The Rise: Black Cooks and the Soul of American Food. To complement his professional commitments, Samuelsson is co-chair of Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP), which focuses on helping underserved youth. He participates in lectures globally, most recently with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and The New York Times during Climate Week NYC 2024.
About SiriusXM
SiriusXM is the leading audio entertainment company in North America with a portfolio of audio businesses including its flagship subscription entertainment service SiriusXM; the ad-supported and premium music streaming services of Pandora; an expansive podcast network; and a suite of business and advertising solutions. Reaching a combined monthly audience of approximately 170 million listeners, SiriusXM offers a broad range of content for listeners everywhere they tune in with a diverse mix of live, on-demand, and curated programming across music, talk, news, and sports. For more about SiriusXM, please go to: www.siriusxm.com
About iHeartMedia New York
iHeartMedia New York owns and operates WHTZ-FM, WKTU-FM, WLTW-FM, WWPR-FM, WAXQ-FM, WOR-AM, New York's Black Information Network, WWRL-AM, and is part of iHeartMedia. iHeartMedia, Inc. [Nasdaq: IHRT] is the leading audio media company in America, with nine out of ten Americans listening to iHeart broadcast radio every month. iHeart’s broadcast radio assets alone have a larger audience in the U.S. than any other media outlet; twice the size of the next largest broadcast radio company; and over four times the ad-enabled audience of the largest digital only audio service. iHeart is the largest podcast publisher according to Podtrac, with more downloads than the next two podcast publishers combined, has the most recognizable live events across all genres of music, has the number one social footprint among audio players, with five times more followers than the next audio media brand, and is the only fully integrated audio ad tech solution across broadcast, streaming and podcasts. The company continues to leverage its strong audience connection and unparalleled consumer reach to build new platforms, products and services. Visit iHeartMedia.com for more company information.
About Charitybuzz
Charitybuzz is the world’s leading impact marketplace for once-in-a-lifetime experiences, exclusive items and unmatched access. Through its premier online auction platform, upscale shopping experience, private concierge business, corporate hospitality, and sweepstakes program, Charitybuzz brings dreams to life and helps charities thrive. In addition to incredible luxury travel, VIP event experiences, and rare memorabilia and collectibles, Charitybuzz features exclusive access to the world’s most influential personalities – George Clooney, Beyoncé, Eddie Vedder, Warren Buffett, Olivia Rodrigo, Sir Paul McCartney, Tim Cook, Meryl Streep, and more. A portion of each Charitybuzz purchase is contributed to a charity. Partners include WhyHunger, ACLU, MusiCares, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and thousands more. To learn more, please visit www.charitybuzz.com
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