August 9, 2007 - As part of ‘The Beyonce Experience’ concert tour, Beyonce is giving back to communities across the nation by teaming up with area food banks to help feed the hungry.

In the Nation’s Capital, where Beyonce performed Thursday night at the Verizon Center, Beyonce and her pastor, Reverend Rudy Rasmus of Touch1.org are hoping to ‘ring the alarm’ about hunger across the nation. 

The pair teamed up with the Capital Area Food Bank where concert goers could drop of non-perishable food items.

Those who brought food items received an autographed photo of the super star.

For one patron, Lewis Hollins, a mere can of food simply wouldn’t do.   Lewis bought over two hundred cans of food to the food drive. 

Why?

Hollins, who grew up in a household of fourteen children knows what it’s like to be hungry.  He told DC Urban LifeStyle Magazine that often times there wasn’t enough food, even with public assistance.  Now, as retired fire fighter, he felt he had to give back to those who are currently going through what he was all to familiar with.

As a reward for his efforts, Hollins, who once wanted to do missionary work in Africa, was given a free pass into the concert and a before show meet-and-greet with Beyonce.

Radio stations WPGC and WKYS also led the food drive campaign by having food drop-off stations at F Street's Green Turtle Sports Bar and Grille, and Vida Hair Salon and Spa.

Says Jana Richards, Special Events Manager of D.C.’s Capital Area Food Bank, “There are well over 600,000 residents in the District who suffer from domestic hunger. The CAFB services 383,000.  Of that number, two hundred thousand, age 18 and under are at risk of going hungry.”

The Capital area food bank works with over 700 local agencies to provide food, and is making plans to move from the current food warehouse at 645 Taylor Street, NE to a larger facility within the city at a future date.

While events like Beyonce’s concert tour bring to light the ever increasing condition of hunger in America, the wealthiest country on the planet, more needs to be done.

Richards states that the community thinks food is only needed during the holidays, but food is needed all throughout the year, including summer when kids are out of school - citing that while kids get their meals while in school, the need for food is even more important when the kids are out of school.

To help the fight against hunger, please visit.

Capital Area Food Bank

America’s Second Harvest for the Nation 

Touch1.org

View pics of food drive.