Yoko Ono Lennon Joins Hard Rock and WhyHunger to "IMAGINE" a World Without Hunger

IMAGINE THERE'S NO HUNGER Campaign Invites Fans to Fight Poverty and World Hunger

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Nov 05, 2014, 09:15 ET

ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- In his iconic song "IMAGINE," John Lennon asked us all to picture a world free from hunger. In support of that mission, Yoko Ono Lennon joins Hard Rock International and WhyHunger for the seventh year of the IMAGINE THERE'S NO HUNGER campaign, which aims to turn John Lennon's dream into our future. To date, IMAGINE has helped communities grow enough food to provide more than 9.7 million nutritious meals to children and supported programs that taught more than 27,600 community members techniques for sustained food production. This year, IMAGINE is aiming to hit a program milestone of 10 million meals locally produced and served.

From November through December 2014, a portion of the retail price from the sale of Hard Rock's limited-edition IMAGINE merchandise will directly benefit WhyHunger and its fight against childhood hunger and poverty. Additionally, guests at Hard Rock Cafes, Hotels and Casinos can donate $2 to feed a child for a day, $5 to feed a child for a week, $10 to start a family or community garden and $20 to start a school garden program. Funds raised will go directly to support sustainable agriculture education and nutritional feeding programs around the world.

"As someone who has seen and experienced hunger personally, it's so important for me to help get the message out that millions of people need our support," said Yoko Ono Lennon. "Through IMAGINE, Hard Rock and WhyHunger are making great strides to bring us a future free from hunger where nutritious food is a human right."

"At Hard Rock, we care about the world around us, and we believe our mottos are more than just the words on our walls - they are guiding principles for our actions," said Hamish Dodds, President and CEO of Hard Rock International, and Global Ambassador for WhyHunger. "The IMAGINE campaign allows us to connect with individuals looking to obtain agriculture education, access to land, legal assistance or financial support, to feed themselves and sustain their families and communities on an ongoing basis."

True to Hard Rock's mottos, "Love All, Serve All" and "Take Time to be Kind," philanthropy has been the soul of the brand since its founding in 1971. Hard Rock is committed to a wide variety of philanthropic causes and activities around the world. IMAGINE reaches children and families in 20 countries and has raised more than $6.4 million to help fight childhood hunger.

"Our long-term collaboration with Yoko Ono Lennon and Hard Rock serves as an excellent platform to provide support to our grassroots partners all around the world," said Bill Ayres, WhyHunger cofounder and executive director. "Our partnership allows us to tap into Hard Rock's global network to make a difference in all corners of the world."

Artist Ambassadors: IMAGINE THERE'S NO HUNGER
In addition, the IMAGINE THERE'S NO HUNGER program will raise funds and awareness for WhyHunger in a variety of ways. Music legends The Doobie Brothers and "Sound of Change" reggae-rock stars the Dirty Heads and singer/songwriter and social media teen phenom, Jacob Whitesides, will serve as Hard Rock's IMAGINE artist ambassadors in the U.S., along with local artists performing at live music events around the world.

Gifts that Give Back
Through the IMAGINE THERE'S NO HUNGER campaign, every dollar will make a difference. Beginning on Monday, November 3, 2014, Hard Rock will offer limited-edition IMAGINE THERE'S NO HUNGER merchandise, available exclusively at Rock Shops at Hard Rock Cafe, Hotels and Casino properties around the world and online at www.hardrock.com.

Hard Rock's 2014 IMAGINE THERE'S NO HUNGER merchandise includes:

Earbuds* – Teal and orange earbuds with the Hard Rock logo on each earbud ($10)
Hard Rock Roxtars™ Kids Guitar Plate** – A white guitar-shaped plate featuring the five characters of the Hard Rock Roxtars ($8)

*50% of net revenue will be donated to WhyHunger
**15% of gross profit will be donated to WhyHunger

You Can Win a Trip!
To reward those who have dedicated their time to others through community and worldwide charitable acts, Hard Rock will give guests a chance to win a philanthropic trip to one of WhyHunger's global charity partners. Guests may enter by submitting a photo and caption that represents their charitable work. The winner will be announced online and will be invited on a site visit with a guest in 2015.

Fans worldwide are encouraged to share their IMAGINE experiences by posting messages, photos and videos via the official social media channels for the 2014 IMAGINE THERE'S NO HUNGER campaign: Facebook.com/HardRock or Twitter.com/HardRock, and hashtag #IMAGINENOHUNGER.

For more information, visit www.hardrock.com/IMAGINE.

About WhyHunger
WhyHunger is a leader in building the movement to end hunger and poverty by connecting people to nutritious, affordable food and by supporting grassroots solutions that inspire self-reliance and community empowerment. Founded in 1975 by the late Harry Chapin & current Executive Director Bill Ayres, WhyHunger works to put an end to hunger suffered by 49 million Americans and nearly 805 million people worldwide. WhyHunger's main programs include the National Hunger Hotline 1-866-3-HUNGRY, which refers individuals in need of emergency food assistance to soup kitchens, food banks, government nutrition programs & community organizations in their neighborhoods; the Grassroots Action Network, which provides information, networking opportunities, capacity building & access to over 8,000 anti-hunger & poverty community organizations across the United States and around the world; and Artists Against Hunger & Poverty which is supported by Bruce Springsteen, Michael McDonald, Chicago, Earth Wind & Fire, Joss Stone, Darryl McDaniels, Jackson Browne, O.A.R, and many others. For more information visit www.whyhunger.org.

About Hard Rock International
With a total of 192 venues in 60 countries, including 146 cafes, 21 hotels and 10 casinos, Hard Rock International (HRI) is one of the most globally recognized companies. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world's greatest collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock is also known for its collectible fashion and music-related merchandise, Hard Rock Live performance venues and an award-winning website. HRI owns the global trademark for all Hard Rock brands. The company owns, operates and franchises Cafes in iconic cities including London, New York, San Francisco, Sydney and Dubai. HRI also owns, licenses and/or manages hotel/casino properties worldwide. Destinations include the company's two most successful Hotel and Casino properties in Tampa and Hollywood, Fl., both owned and operated by HRI parent company The Seminole Tribe of Florida, as well as other exciting locations including Bali, Biloxi, Chicago, Cancun, Ibiza, Las Vegas, Palm Springs, San Diego and Singapore. Upcoming new Hard Rock Cafe locations include San Juan, Asuncion and Marseille. New Hard Rock Hotel projects include Daytona Beach, Los Cabos, Dallas-Fort Worth, Abu Dhabi, and Shenzhen and Haikou in China. For more information on Hard Rock International, visit www.hardrock.com.