National Correspondent Tells the Story of Hunger From His Own Perspective

John Fountain, New York Times journalist and author, addresses largest Nation's Largest Anti-hunger Conference

Chicago, IL -- Just over a year ago, John Fountain wrote about the grinding poverty and the chance for change in Pembroke, Illinois, one of that state's most isolated rural communities. During the course of his reporting, he learned of America's Second Harvest and the work it does to feed people trying to escape the desperate cycle of poverty.

At 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, September 6, Fountain will address the more than 500 hunger-relief advocates attending America's Second Harvest's 2003 National Conference. The Conference, September 3-6, is at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel, 1755 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood, CA 90028.

Fountain understands the burdens of hunger, poverty, and hopelessness; having grown up in one of Chicago's poorest communities. In his new book, True Vine: A Young Black Man's Journey of Faith, Hope and Clarity, Fountain writes about the challenges of growing up on Chicago's West Side, as well as the people and opportunities that allowed him to overcome those challenges.

The annual anti-hunger conference brings together people representing every state in the country including anti-hunger leaders, policymakers, and industry representatives. America's Second Harvest and its network of affiliated organizations provide emergency food aid to 23.3 million Americans and distribute almost two billion pounds of food and grocery products each year.

NOTE: Interviews and photo opportunities will be available with John Fountain, national correspondent at the New York Times and author of True Vine: A Young Black Man's Journey of Faith, Hope and Clarity, and with Robert Forney, President and CEO, America's Second Harvest.