FreeRice.Com: Make a Difference While Sitting At Your Computer

The world is definitely changing. While some progressions head for the worst, others are genuine and destined to do a a great deal of good in our world. The most recent technological advancement that I stumbled upon recently has not only changed my life, but is changing so many others' lives as well. This brilliant creation is called FreeRice.Com and it is an innovative and immense leap toward ending world hunger.

FreeRice.Com executes two great things at once. It teaches and quizzes the user (you) vocabulary in a fun, interactive, and challenging game while also donating food to needy nations. As you proceed in the game and answer correctly to each vocabulary word you are given, you donate grains of rice to the United Nations - who then feeds the people that need it. Every word that you answer correctly generates 20 grains of rice. Amazingly, the game is very fun, for it logs your highest vocab level during the game, which ultimately taunts you to continue to attempt to top it.

FreeRice.Com was just launched in October of this year and they have already raised 11,895,283,110 grains of rice within the two months. Since there are rotating advertisements on the bottom of the website, it is essentially those companies making the financial donations for your vocabulary skills. Think about the power that you now have at your computer. The more people that spend a few minutes each day playing the game, the more people are being fed. What a concept!

The fact that FreeRice has decided to use a vocabulary game, among other options, is quite brilliant. Being able to blend too problems that exist in the world (namely, American illiteracy and world hunger) is what makes this concept so refreshing to see.

With this review, I challenge everyone to visit FreeRice.Com and save the world. I challenge everybody that reads this to try to surpass my "Level 41" record that I currently hold. If anyone does happen to defeat my scores, feel free to email me at: llenz@rockforhunger.org, because I may want you to write for this blog. Perhaps someone will earn themselves a new job out of this. There you go, there is another incentive to play. What are you waiting for?

- Logan Lenz; Treasurer/ Event Coordinator, Rock For Hunger

Read more...

Make a difference in 2007

The year 2007 is coming to an end. You may be thinking how much of a difference did I make this year? Have you been less active in the community than planned in January of 2007? Do you wish you could have done more to help others? Great news!!! The year is not over yet! You can still make a difference in 2007! There are many great organizations in Orlando, FL you can still get involved with. You can come out on Monday night and serve a New Years Eve meal to the Homeless at 6:45pm with Rock for Hunger, or donate your time to the Coalition, Boys and Girls Clubs, Give Kids the World, Salvation Army, and many other great local organizations this weekend. Don’t have time? How about donating clothes, donate food, donate Coupons, old Computers, or donate funds to an organization making a difference in your community. Let us know if you still want to make a difference in 2007!!!

Oh, and yes, I did say donate Coupons. I found a really cool article on Oprah.com about a lady that collected coupons to shop for families living in homelessness, and poverty. Yes, I did read Oprah! You can find very inspirational stories on her page. Barbara, the person who collected the coupons, managed to ring up a bill of $187, and when she scanned al her coupons, her final bill was only $3.02. She saved $183.98! Imagine how many people you can feed with this much food. This could help expand our Monday night programs which feed over 150 by tenfold. Click here for the full article.

Another cool article I found was in the Orlando Sentinel. It is about this MIT Program that provides cheap computers to kids in rural Peru to prove that these children can make a difference. It’s a really cool little read. Check it out the article here. The laptops are provided to these children by an organization called One Laptop per Child.

As you see, you don’t have to go way out of your way to make a difference in your community or even home country. There are many simple things one can do to help others. You can donate coupons, clothes, food, books, and more to Rock for Hunger to take care of you local community, or you can send a laptop to a child overseas. There are still three days left in 2007. You can still make a difference this year! It is not too late. Live a more positive lifestyle by living a life of giving, and helping others. There is nothing more rewarding than giving. Start dedicating your life to helping others in 2007, and make it a habit in 2008. Happy New Year!

Chris G. - cgoyzueat@rockforhunger.org

Rock for Hunger: Making a difference in Orlando, Florida and soon in communities all over the world!

Read more...

Recap of the Oasis Holiday Party (in Pictures)

With the holidays quickly fading, we at Rock For Hunger would like to show tribute to our holiday party at the Oasis After School Program on Carter and Wesmoreland in Orlando, Fl. The event was held on Friday, December 21st and was our first venture into a children's party. Below are some photos from the event courtesy of Jennifer O'Brien, guidance counselor at St Andrews, whose school conducted a toy drive to provide gifts for the children of the Jackson Center.

For more photos from the Jackson Center, our Tutors and Meals program and the Oasis Holiday Party be sure to check out the Rock For Hunger Flickr page!

Happy holidays from the R4H crew!

-Greg Rollett

Read more...

Featured Artist of the Week: Union Made

Like many others already are, you may be becoming sick of the mundane arenas of rock being offered on a commercial level these days. It seems that rock bands are being released Pari Passu… with a few radio friendly hits stashed in their tiny pockets. When will all of this change? What about the other guys?; the creative bands doing their own thing, not caring about radio singles, success, and six-figure record deals? It’s definitely about time for those artists to receive what they deserve.

If the introduction of this week’s “Artist of the Week” feature ranted above felt like a tocsin to you, than maybe you should not continue to read on. Anyone that is completely content and accepting of the current state of the “rock scene” and its recent miniscule involvement with the music industry may not be interested in this week’s artist. That’s a shame, however, because Union Made may be one of the nation’s best candidates of the role of “music savior” for our ill-equipped industry of today.

Union Made reigns from the homeland of Rock For Hunger – Orlando, Florida. Within the last few years, vocalist Drew Petrone and the boys have enlisted benefaction with RFH, and assisted in helping us promote and raise funds for our ongoing projects. With that being said, it is obvious that you will not be exposed to any persiflage or calumny from this article. It is also important for one to note that their music speaks for itself. Not only are they such benevolent members of our community, but also a very enjoyable and talented young band.

Union Made uniquely fuses doses of funk, rock, punk, and blues together to make for their own brand of music. Even the finical will find something that they like in the band’s vast array of heavy artillery that they equip themselves with each and every time they take the stage.

Lyrically the group has a lot to say. Without coming off discursive at all, Union Made remains focused on heavy topics that embody today’s world.

Be sure to check out their music on their MySpace page and check them out on New Year’s Eve at AKA Lounge in Downtown Orlando:
http://www.myspace.com/unionmade

Upcoming schedule:

31 Dec 2007 10:00 P

AKA NEW YEARS BASH DOWNTOWN!!!!

Orlando, Florida

- Logan Lenz; Treasurer/ Event Coordinator, Rock For Hunger

Read more...

Erev Xmas

Just a quick heads up - Rock for Hunger will be out this Monday, December 24th. Hunger doesn't take time off for the holidays, and neither do we.

Whether you've come out with us before or not, we'd love to see you on Monday, 6:45pm, at the post office on the corner of Jefferson and Magnolia.
If you can't make it this week, help us make a difference in the new year!

From all of us at Rock for Hunger, Happy Holidays to you and yours.

Read more...

Gen-Y, Non-Profits and Technology

In the last few weeks I have been engulfed in Social Media. I sit neck deep in RSS feeds and emails, signing up for new services before the general public knows that they exist and make cyber friends daily. It’s a trend that hasn’t fully taken off with the non-profit sector. They are moving a little slower, a little shy in going on a date with Web 2.0. But why?

Most Web 2.0 activities are free! They are time consuming, but they are viral and can play huge dividends to your bottom line. Gaining new volunteers, supporters and donors are some of the hardest things facing not-for-profits not only here in Orlando, but everywhere.

Generation-Y has shown great interest not only in Rock For Hunger, but many philanthropic efforts. Millennials are eager to help out and make a difference in our planet and our communities.

Myspace and MTV have been holding debates with presidential candidates that Gen-Y has been able to text in questions to and give feedback in real time to the hopefuls. Some of the most impact-ful questions have to do with the environment, the economy and education. These technologies have allowed the presidential candidates to respond to our needs and address why there are disagreements between their generation and our generation.

Social networks are playing a major part in the revolution of Gen-Y non profits. We are able to spread our message virally through videos, comments, music, podcasts, mass emailing, bulletins, blogging, friend requests, and so much more. A video that we shot on a Monday night feeding can be uploaded to YouTube, Myspace and Blip.tv the same night and be watched by people all over the world in less time then you are spending at the mall holiday shopping.

Social Networks are now popping up that are specific for causes and even major media outlets such as MTV have taken measures into their own hands.

Generation-Y is at an advantage more than any other generation before us. The communication barrier has been broken down. Email addresses and online profiles can be found in seconds. We can connect with people of similar backgrounds and interests and get them involved with a simple email.

I am excited for what the technology generation can do. I am excited to see more people get involved in causes that matter to them. Rock For Hunger is not for everyone, but I do believe that you can find something that you are passionate about to take time out of your busy lives and make a difference. Now if only the old fashioned not-for-profits will up the ante and make giving and donating time part of the Web 2.0 explosion.

-Greg "G-Ro" Rollett

Read more...

Ten Thousand Villages - G-RO's Easy To Go

Full recap and more videos and pictures to come.

If you have any video or pictures and would like to share please send them to Greg Rollett.

Enjoy!

Read more...

Fighting Poverty with Marriage

I found a cool article on the St. Louis Today website about a Pastor who is fighting poverty by teaching and preparing neighborhood young adults about the values of marriage. He is fighting with a mission to help the African American population, who is suffering from the lowest marriage rates. There are so many single families out there, because of people having babies who should not. Check out a clip of the article below:

With African-American marriage rates registering well below those of other
races and fears that too many of its young are being lost to poverty and crime,
not the altar, they have come to Crumpton to learn how to find and love the
right person forever. Last year, two St. Louis nonprofits, Better Family Life
and St. Louis Healthy Marriage Coalition, were awarded more than $11 million in
grants from the federal Healthy Marriage Initiative to build a rank of marriage
educators such as Crumpton to conduct ongoing courses on healthy relationships.
The courses are targeted at residents of the city and poor, inner-ring
suburbs.

Click here for the full article. There are many ways to fight poverty. All it takes is someone with a mission, and a desire to make it happen. Please support your local nonprofits helping in your local communities. All of us nonprofits need your support. There are many ways you can help. You can volunteer, talk to your friends and family about local organizations, and donate funds. Every organization needs financial support to help them accomplish their mission. If everyone person gave a little bit of their time, funds, and energy to local nonprofit organizations, we can help make the world a better place for everyone! Poverty is the root to many of the World’s challenges such as, disease, cancer, obesity, illiteracy, domestic violence, homelessness, and many other challenges people all over the world face every day. You can make a difference! Don’t make it your mission to fight poverty in 2008. There are still 12 days left in 2007 to make a difference! Start today helping serve others, and living a life with a purpose!

“To do more for the world than the world does for you – that is success” – Henry Ford

Chris G.
Rock for Hunger

Read more...

Featured Artist of the Week: Chris Burns

Invading our second installment of "Rock For Hunger Featured Artist of the Week," Orlando's Chris Burns is a musician that possesses a true artifice. With a completely authentic and genuine folk sound, each of his masterful musical attributes complement one another impeccably. The influenced artist cites musicians like Ani Difranco and Ben Folds, perhaps from a songwriting viewpoint, but on a performance level, you may tend to hear more Rocky Votolato than anything else. Being the generous person that he is, you can sample a bunch of his tracks on both of his websites: Chris Burns Radio and www.myspace.com/chrisburnscbradio.

For any skeptical draconian that does not hear Chris Burns' "it" factor has evidently never seen him perform live. Burns' stage presence is far from unfledged. Like many of his influential predecessors, he has mastered the "vocal trumpet," which enables him to coerce any unobservant individual that he is playing with a full band. Give him a few years (and a lot more guitars) and this fellow may turn into the next Keller Williams.

Burns is a class act with extreme potential. Never dressed in dishabille and always jovial, he knows what it takes to make it in the music business. Since the industry has become more frangible than ever before, he may have a shot making a name for himself as a touring independent musician.

Anyone looking to veer away from cacophony to enjoy a night out with a promising and charming young entertainer will unfortunately have to wait until after the new year. Chris Burns can be seen at the following upcoming events:

3 Jan 2008 7:00 P	Capt. Hirams Resort	Sebastian, Florida
5 Jan 2008 9:00 P	Abbey	Deland, Florida
12 Jan 2008 9:30 P	Urban Flats (Heathrow)	Lake Mary, Florida
18 Jan 2008 7:00 P	Coffee Bistro 101	Deland, Florida
19 Jan 2008 9:00 P	Oyster Bay	Orlando, Florida
1 Feb 2008 7:00 P	Coffee Bistro 101	Deland, Florida
9 Feb 2008 8:00 P	Apartment E Private Party	Orlando, Florida
12 Feb 2008 6:00 P	UCF CAMPUS...Rock The Vote!	Orlando, Florida

- Logan Lenz; Treasurer/ Event Coordinator, Rock For Hunger

Read more...

Support Local Music!

Tonight is a huge night for Rock for Hunger artists. We have many great supporters performing around Orlando, Florida and including The Legendary JC’s at Ashville, NC. If you're in Downtown Orlando, go check out Lona and Poverty Branch at Back Booth opening for the Gasoline Heart CD Release Party at 9pm. Then head over to the Social at 10:30pm to see SKIP of Nonsense and an awesome performance by the extremely talented Kay Leigh formerly from the Funk Cartel. If you are in the Winter Park or UCF area go check out Carnevil at the Haven. Also, check the list of upcoming shows by other Rock for Hunger supporters below:

December Shows:
Sat 15 Kessler + The Secret State @ Freebird Live - Jacksonville, FL
Sun 16 Chris Burns @ Push Play Café
Sun 16 Kessler @ Winners Circle – Lakeland, FL
Mon 17 Kessler @ The Haven – Orlando, FL
Tue 18 Kessler + Through You @ Crowbar – Tampa, FL
Fri 21 Through You @ HOB – Orlando, FL
Sat 22 Soul2Earth @ Backbooth – Orlando, FL

Fri 28 BackRive @ The Dungeon – Orlando, FL
Sun 30 The Legendary JC’s @ Freebird Live – Jacksonville, FL

Read more...

A Night of Music for Peace Tonight!!!

Come to a Night of Music 4 Peace tonight at Ten Thousand Villages in Winter Park. Read our Press Release and more info below:

“You must be the change you wish to see in the World” – Ghandi

“To do more for the world than the world does for you – that is success” – Henry Ford


Poverty is probably the single most destructive force in the world. The gap between the haves and have-nots is ever-widening, with the poor and homeless continuing to suffer the consequences of this great injustice. There are over 350,000 people living in poverty in Central Florida alone. However, something can be done. Something is being done as the nonprofit organizations Rock for Hunger and Ten Thousand Villages look to combat the cycle of poverty through music, volunteer work, and peace in our local community. Ten Thousand Villages works with over 100 artisan groups in more than 30 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America to bring you fair trade jewelry, home decor, gifts and more.

On Thursday December 13th 2007 Rock for Hunger is teaming up with Ten Thousand Villages for a poverty awareness event at the Ten Thousand Villages store in Winter Park, FL. This event will feature great guest performances by G-Ro, Chris Burns, and Angela from Lona, along with guest speakers from Ten Thousand Villages and Rock for Hunger. Ten Thousand Villages will donate a portion of all merchandise sales to help combat local and global hunger and homelessness. Be sure to bring non perishable food items and clothes to help those in need in our Central Florida community. Come join us for free appetizers, live music, and guest speakers who will be talking about local and global poverty issues with music and in peace.

Who: Rock for Hunger & Ten Thousand Villages with special guest performances by Chris Burns, Angela from Lona, and G-Ro.

This event will also feature guest speakers speaking on behalf of both organizations, highlighting the goals and missions of each.

Where: Ten Thousand Villages
346 N Park Ave.

Winter Park, FL 32789

When: Thursday December 13th 2007

What to bring: Nonperishable food items and clothes

More Info on both Organizations: http://www.rockforhunger.org/ and http://www.orlando.tenthousandvillages.com/

Rock for Hunger: The Community Standing Together as one to help make the world a better place both locally and globally, with music and peace.

Ten Thousand Villages is a non-profit, fair trade organization that provides vital, fair income to people in the developing world by marketing their handicrafts and telling their stories in North America.

Read more...

Starting a New Life: Words from the Exec

It is interesting on how much time we spend pondering what to do with our lives. Should I go to college for another semester, or take a year off to work a job that I don’t really care for, but just get a paycheck to pay my bills. Sometimes we avoid following our dreams because it is just too hard to start with nothing. Most of the times we work for companies we never planned on working for and work our way up to a pretty good salary. Yea it is not what we dreamt on doing with our lives, but it covers the bills, gives me insurance, and a paid vacation two weeks out of the year if we are lucky. It is not easy to give up everything and follow your dreams. When things get really hard, it is just so much easier to give up and go get a job that will make ends meet, somewhat.

The only thing I have ever wanted to do is work with music, and through music teaching people how to care for one another, and change peoples lives for the better. A little over a year ago I quit my pursuit of going to medical school and having a great career as a doctor, for a life in music and the nonprofit world. Most people think that it is only the musicians that struggle in this business, and the people behind the scenes are the ones that make all the money. Starting in the music business, and having a cause behind what you do can a lot of times be a lot harder than one thinks. A lot of the times even harder than the struggling musician. We have to get people to believe in us first, and get people to even care to listen to what we have to say. Is it all worth it? Every single day of my life the answer is YES! All the people I have met over the past year and a half, and all the people that have grown to love and support Rock for Hunger as much as I do have been a great blessing in my life. These people give me hope that Rock for Hunger is going to be a mission that one day will change the world for the better.

I have never met so many people that have been so supportive. There is no way I could have ever been able to do it without them. It is crazy how addicting making a difference through music can be. It seems it should get harder and harder each day, but every day we have so many more people who support our mission, and want to become part of this movement. It started off with meeting Ben, Tristen, Sareh and my beautiful girlfriend Kraesly. I feel bad for these people every day for meeting me..haha. They have been the best. They are still here everyday making Rock for Hunger what it is today. Along the way we have met many other great people. I met G-Ro and Logan from a band called StuMpP that I started to manage. This band was probably going to be one of the greatest bands in the world to ever play music. Unfortunately egos have torn that band apart. However, I got the two best things from this band. Two awesome friends that bring great ideas, and lots of hard work to Rock for Hunger. Tow friends that are irreplaceable.

Of course we all met many more great people who have grown a passion for what Rock for Hunger is, and who all seek to expand it into its dream. An organization that will tour the world with music, and make a difference in peoples lives in every town that it touches. We have many great projects, and ideas in the works. G-Ro came up with a great idea on starting a book of stories that will tell the different lives people live in poverty within the United States, and what we can do to make a difference. He wrote a very inspirational blog (on his page Rollett Marketing) that made me want to write this quick message. And I know I went off on somewhat of a tangent. However, we all grow up with dreams on what we want our part to be in the world, and how we can make the world a better, and more peaceful place for all. It is not easy to do, but it can be done. have begun the laying the foundation to living my dream. If it was not for all those people supporting what we do, and believing in us there would be no Rock for Hunger, and the dream would no longer exist. I promise we won’t let you all down. We are going to start a movement I’m not telling you to leave your jobs and go do what you love. How crazy would that be? But can you imagine doing what you love for a living no matter how hard it is? It is a feeling of freedom, and a feeling of inner peace. Also, it’s a feeling of how in the world I’m I going to pay this bill this month! If it was not for all the support from all the people around me I could not that will be remembered for a long time. A movement of music and peace!

Read more...

Rock for Hunger featured Artist: Kessler

This is the first edition of our weekly Rock for Hunger Featured Artist. Our first featured artist is Kessler from Dallas, TX. Kessler came together in 2005 and have taken over crowds all over the United States. Since 2006 they have started wowing crowds all over Florida, and played some Rock for Hunger shows in Orlando, FL and Lakeland, FL. This very talented band was discovered very quickly by the emerging indie record label YMA- Your Music America, and signed to them in August of 2006. Their first album should be released early 2008. Check out their hit single “Outside Your Window,” and many other catchy sing-a-long songs! This is a really talented band on stage and great people off stage as well. I have seen them support many great organizations in the past two years. Kessler is a band that will soon be playing to large crowds all over the world, and will stay around for years to come. You can check out more on kesslerrocks.com or myspace.com/kesslerband.


Make sure to check them out on their upcoming Florida tour with Marashino from Milawaukee Wisconsin, and the first Rock for Hunger mini tour. Youc an also catch Kessler all over the nation. Make sure to constantly keep checking their myspace for great music, and upcoming shows in your neighborhood. We will be rocking with them in Jacksonville, FL, Lakeland, FL, Orlando, FL and Tampa, FL at the following shows:

Sat Dec 15th Jacksonville, FL – Freebird Live w/ The Secret State (CD Release Party)
Sun Dec 16th Lakeland, FL – Winners Circle
Mon Dec 17th Orlando, FL – The Haven
Tues Dec 18th Tampa, FL – Crowbar w/ Through You

Read more...

The Week in Rock for Hunger

This week is an action packed week for Rock for Hunger. We have lots of cool events going on, and will be in many new places. Check the list below for some upcoming events:

Monday
Food for the Homeless 6:45-7:45pm - Orlando, FL
Tonight we will be serving hot meals for the homeless again in Downtown Orlando, FL. To volunteer or for more info e-mail Ben at bbergholtz@rockforhunger.org

Thursday
A Night of Music 4 Peace 7pm-9pm - Winter Park, FL
We will be teaming up with Ten Thousand Villages in Winter Park, FL for a very special event featuring many great appetizers for everyone, and special performances. E-mail Chris for more info at cgoyzueta@rockforhunger.org. Check out Ten Thousand Villages.

KG & the Band at the Social 10pm – Orlando, FL
The 2007 Rock for Hunger band of the year KG & the Band will be performing at The Social in Downtown Orlando, FL. Visit KG & the Band for a sample of their music & more info.

Friday
Tutors & Meals 3:30pm-5:30pm - Orlando, FL
Join us for our weekly after school program at the Jackson Center in Downtown Orlando, FL. Help us tutor children in low income neighborhoods in reading and math. For more information contact Chris a cgoyzueta@rockforhunger.org.

Saturday
The Rock for Hunger Mini-Tour kicks off with Kessler from Dallas, TX. Check out Kessler at myspace.com/kesslerband for music and more. The dates are as follows:

Saturday December 15th at Freebrid Live – Jacksonville, FL
Sunday December 16th at Winners Circle – Lakeland, FL
Monday December 17th at The Haven – Winter Park, FL
Tuesday December 18th at Crowbar – Tampa, FL

Visit our official site for more upcoming events and learn how to make a difference in your local communities: rockforhunger.org.

Read more...

Education: The key to ending child poverty

In Wales plans are in the process to help alleviate, and end child poverty. The most powerful weapon against child poverty is education. Education is one of the most successful strategies to prevent individuals from falling into poverty, or helping end a generation of poverty. In Wales plans are in the process to help over 600 schools to work towards ending child poverty in the country. Below is a short clip from the article of the plans of ending child poverty in Wales:

Education lays the foundations that give children the skills and self-esteem to
aspire to better things and the confidence to take advantage of opportunities at
each stage of their development.
The education system in Wales must become
more effective at targeting those children and young people most at risk from
poverty and exclusion, intervening in targeted and innovative ways to support
their learning and break that stubborn link between deprivation and low
performance.

For the full article visit the icWales Website. A little over 25% of the population of the United States is living in poverty. This is close to 100 million people suffering from poverty in the United States. Of this number an estimated 25 million are children under the age of 18. There are a lot of programs locally that are starting to make a difference towards ending child poverty. It is really important to support the programs in your local communities. Also, look into programs that educate the children on giving back. These children are future leaders of this country. If they are learning from a young age the importance of giving back, they will develop a lifetime of giving and making a difference. Programs that focus on ending poverty by its roots, through childhood education, are very successful and important to ending the problem of child poverty in the United States.

The Tutors and Meals program focuses on educating children in low income neighborhoods in the Central Florida community. It is our goal to teach them skills in reading, math, and community outreach. We also provide them with a meal each day, because some children living in poverty in the United States may not have the opportunity to have a meal with their families after school. As we continue developing this program and fine tuning it to help meet its mission, it is our plan to spread this program across the nation, and beyond our borders. E-mail us to learn more about our Tutors & Meals program, and the possibility of extending this program into your local community. Send a message to Chris at cgoyzueta@rockforhunger.org. Be sure to find those who are making a difference in your community, and are working towards ending child poverty, and not facilitating the program. Facilitating the problem will only provide them with a temporary babysitter while their parents are at work. Ending the problem will boost our economy, and help those children, and their families live a better lifestyle.
Peace,

Chris G.
Rock for Hunger

Read more...

Rock for Hunger: Tutors and Meals Program

Tutors & Meals is the after school program of Rock for Hunger designed to help educate children living in poverty. This program began in Orlando, FL around September of 2007. As of right now we are running one program, and helping the kids improve in their reading and math skills with fun activities, and tutoring. The goal of this program is to encourage kids to succeed in school, and teach them that they are able to achieve all of their dreams. It is also important to teach them that they don’t have to become a doctor or lawyer to go to college, or become successful, and that there are many other possibilities for continued education after High School. As we begin to measure success with this program we plan on expanding this to a daily after school program which we can expand across the country, and eventually bring to help children in other nations around the world.

To help support our Tutors & Meals program you can help us by donating any of the items below. Also, we are always in need of volunteers to help us with tutoring, and serving meals to the kids. The current Rock for Hunger Tutors & Meals program takes place every Friday at the Jackson Center in Downtown Orlando, FL from 3:30pm to 5:30pm. Please contact Chris at cgoyzueta@rockforhunger.org, or Sareh at volunteer@rockforhunger.org.

Needed Items:

1. Games
2. Pencils
3. Construction Paper
4. Paper
5. Glue
6. Scissors
7. Grade book
8. Mini Dry Eraser board
9. Markers (boards)
10. Reading Books for Grade Levels k-12
11. Math Books
(Any other books you all believe will be necessary for the Program)
12. Paper Plates
13. Forks/Spoons/Knives
14. Food
a. Something volunteers can cook, or deli meats w/ Whole Wheat bread
b. Snacks
15. Miscellaneous supplies

Read more...

A Night of Music 4 Peace

Poverty is probably the single most destructive force in the world. The gap between the haves and have-nots is ever-widening, with the poor and homeless continuing to suffer the consequences of this great injustice. There are over 350,000 people living in poverty in Central Florida alone. However, something can be done. Something is being done as the nonprofit organizations Rock for Hunger and Ten Thousand Villages look to combat the cycle of poverty through music, volunteer work, and peace in our local community. Ten Thousand Villages works with over 100 artisan groups in more than 30 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America to bring you fair trade jewelry, home decor, gifts and more.

On Thursday December 13th 2007 Rock for Hunger is teaming up with Ten Thousand Villages for a poverty awareness event at the Ten Thousand Villages store in Winter Park, FL. This event will feature great guest performances by G-Ro, Chris Burns, and Angela from Lona, along with guest speakers from Ten Thousand Villages and Rock for Hunger. Ten Thousand Villages will donate a portion of all merchandise sales to help combat local and global hunger and homelessness. Be sure to bring non perishable food items and clothes to help those in need in our Central Florida community. Come join us for free appetizers, live music, and guest speakers who will be talking about local and global poverty issues with music and in peace.

Who: Rock for Hunger & Ten Thousand Villages with special guest performances by Chris Burns, Angela from Lona, and G-Ro.

This event will also feature guest speakers speaking on behalf of both organizations, highlighting the goals and missions of each.

Where: Ten Thousand Villages
346 N Park Ave.

Winter Park, FL 32789

When: Thursday December 13th 2007

What to bring: Nonperishable food items and clothes

More Info on both Organizations: http://www.rockforhunger.org/ and http://www.orlando.tenthousandvillages.com/

Rock for Hunger: The Community Standing Together as one to help make the world a better place both locally and globally, with music and peace.

Ten Thousand Villages is a non-profit, fair trade organization that provides vital, fair income to people in the developing world by marketing their handicrafts and telling their stories in North America.

Read more...

Food for the Homeless Tonight in Orlando, FL

Tonight is our weekly Food for the Homeless project in Downtown Orlando, FL. We are meeting on the corner of Magnolia, and Washington in the Parking Lot at 6:45pm. Below is a list of our most needed items. This event is open to all interested volunteers. For more information e-mail Ben Bergholtz at bberholtz@rockforhunger.org.

Cooking Items
-foil, dish soap
-white rice
-pasta (any kind)
-canned tomato paste &/or tomato sauce
-cutting board
-apples, peaches
-large, sturdy baking trays
-canned beans (kidney, baked, chili,). .
-dry beans
-canned chicken broth
-vegetable oil
-flour

Other Items
-Juice
-Utensils
-Paper Plates
-Napkins

Clothing
-Mens Clothes
-Womens Clothes
-Socks
-Shoes

Hygine Products
-Deodorant
-Tooth Paste
-Tooth Brushes

Read more...

The week in Rock for Hunger Dec 2nd - Dec 8th

I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend! We have another great week in Rock for Hunger coming up this week. Last week we had a record number in people we served with over 130 people and a great Tutors & Meals program on Friday. Tomorrow we will be back in Downtown Orlando, FL for our Food for the Homeless program. As school is coming to an end our number of Volunteers may decrease. We need all the help and support we can get. Tomorrow we will post our most needed items list, and more information on our Monday night Food for the Homeless program. For more information on Food for the Homeless, e-mail Ben at bbergholtz@rockforhunger.org.

This Thursday Rock for Hunger band Poverty Branch will be performing at AKA Lounge in Downtown Orlando, FL on 68 E. Pine St. The show will begin at 9:30pm, and the doors will open at 9:30pm. Cover is only $5, and the show is 18 and up. Be sure to check out this great Rock for Hunger performing artist. For more info on this show, e-mail Logan at llenz@rockforhunger.org.

Then on Friday will be our after school program Tutors & Meals at the Jackson Center in Downtown Orlando, FL as well. We will be there from 3:30pm-5:30pm. This is open for Volunteers, and we can definitely still use your help and support. For more info e-mail Chris at cgoyzueta@rockforhunger.org.

There are many ways people can get involved with Rock for Hunger. E-mail us about more volunteer opportunities such as our Rock for Hunger Street Team, or program/special events committees. We have lots of great events and projects in development that we want you to get involved in. E-mail Chris at cgoyzueta@rockforhunger.org, or Tristen at tanderson@rockforhunger.org for more information on how to get involved.

The Week in Preview:
Monday - Food for the Homeless (Orlando, FL)
6:45pm-7:45pm Meet on the corner of Magnolia & Washington in Downtown.

Thursday – Poverty Branch @ AKA Lounge (Orlando, FL)
9pm Doors/9:30pm Show starts. AKA Lounge is located in Downtown Orlando, FL on the corner of Magnolia and Pine St. (68 E. Pine St. Orlando, FL 32801).

Friday - Tutors & Meals (Orlando, FL)
3:30pm-5pm at the John H. Jackson Center in Downtown on the corner of Carter St. and Westmoreland Ave.

Read more...

UCF Students give Parramore Residents a Voice

In today's Orlando Sentinel I saw an article which clearly demonstrates the many factors that contribute to poverty and homelessness, particularly in the Orlando community.

You can find a video at "Downtown Makeover Stories," a site created by UCF journalism students.

The entire article can be found through the Orlando Sentinel's website.

- Tristen

Read more...

Ten Thousand Villages Flyer

Read more...