Donate NowBill Pere
Bill learned early in life that music has the power to move and inspire people. As a child he was constantly surrounded by music and encouraged to share his talent with others. He continued to pursue his musical career as an adult and in the early 90s he discovered a way to turn his passion for music into a way to help his community.
In 1991, Bill was asked to perform at a benefit for local hunger agencies, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of songwriter-activist, Harry Chapin’s death. The event raised $20,000 for Chapin’s hunger-fighting charity, World Hunger Year and it was then that Bill realized that he could use his music to help fight hunger.
Bill founded LUNCH (Local United Network to Combat Hunger) in 1989. LUNCH is an independent nonprofit organization that combines the musical talents of professional and children to raise money for hunger relief efforts. Members of LUNCH perform at concerts, plays, and summer camps, raising money for soup kitchens and social service agencies.
Bill has devoted his life to improving the lives of others. Over the past 20 years, his organization has raised nearly $1 million and has engaged more than 2,500 children in the cause
For his fighting efforts and community devotion, Bill was recently recognized by ShopRite Partners In Caring and General Mills as a local hunger fighting hero. He was featured on a limited-edition Cheerios box, which was sold in ShopRite stores across six states.
Visit www.lunchensemble.com to learn more about Bill Pere and LUNCH.
Do you know someone who is passionate about fighting hunger? We want to hear their story. Submit information about your hunger fighting hero to jessig@coynepr.com and they may be featured on this page.
Share Your Story
Did you know more than 36 million Americans; including 13 million children, wake up each day worried about where their next meal will come from? The ShopRite Partners In Caring Web site is place where we have started to put a face to the facts by sharing the stories of the hungry and those that help them in their struggle.
Each month, ShopRite Partners In Caring will post several new tales of courage, perseverance and optimism to share with our readers. We also encourage others to share their own stories of hope by clicking here or anywhere else on the Web site that you see “submit your stories.” By revealing your story, ShopRite Partners In Caring believes together we will create a place that will rouse the human spirit and motivate others to make a difference.
ShopRite Partners In Caring hopes by archiving these life-changing accounts, we will inspire and create hope in millions of Americans, not only in the ShopRite serving areas, but in communities across the country.
