Bruce Springsteen Leads a Night of Music, Activism, and Community at Hungerthon Benefit Concert

live music

Dec 18

Photos by Melissa Lawlor

WhyHunger’s 50th Anniversary Hungerthon Benefit Concert transformed the Stone Pony into something far bigger than a concert venue on Sunday December 14th—it became a living reminder of how deeply music and activism are intertwined. Celebrating five decades of fighting food insecurity, the event brought together an extraordinary lineup of artists, community leaders, and fans, ultimately raising more than $200,000 to support WhyHunger’s mission.

The night was packed with powerful performances, but one of the most electric moments came when Bruce Springsteen joined Stevie Van Zandt & The Disciples of Soul, alongside Marc Ribler, for a run of songs that sent the room into full celebration mode. From “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out” to a joyful, slightly chaotic sing-along during a brief false fire alarm, Springsteen’s presence underscored the spirit of the evening—music as connection, generosity, and shared purpose.

Throughout the night, artists including Sameer Gadhia and Eric Cannata of Young the Giant, Yola, Jim Babjak and Dennis Diken of The Smithereens, Garry Tallent, Jimmy Vivino, members of Little Steven’s Disciples of Soul and the E Street Band, and many more filled the stage with performances that ranged from soul-shaking to deeply personal. A moving tribute to WhyHunger co-founder Harry Chapin featured “Cat’s in the Cradle,” performed by Steve Chapin & The Original Harry Chapin Band alongside Tom Chapin, Jen Chapin, and Randy C. Moore, accompanied by film footage honoring Chapin’s enduring legacy of artist-led activism.

Beyond the music, the night reflected the broader impact of Hungerthon—100% of ticket proceeds benefited WhyHunger, with food donations supporting Fulfill of Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Earlier in the day, artists and community leaders gathered for an Artist Summit at the Transparent Clinch Gallery, reinforcing the idea that ending hunger requires creativity, collaboration, and long-term solutions. At the Stone Pony, that message rang loud and clear: when artists lead with purpose, real change follows.

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.

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