MANILA, Philippines—About 17 years ago, one man dared to fight hunger on a global scale. It did not take long before he found out that he was not facing the battle alone as a group of iconic casts from various fields came and joined him to wage war against an adversary known as world hunger.
The Global Village Champions Foundation (GVCF), established by philanthropist and businessman Yank Barry along with three-time world heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali, is a non-profit, private humanitarian aid that is determined to achieve “A Day without Hunger” by Dec. 31, 2013.
Barry, founder and chairman of the foundation, and Ali, considered as the greatest boxer of all-time and the first GVCF champion and global spokesman, have already traveled throughout various parts of the world since 1995 to deliver millions of free meals to the less fortunate as part of the organization’s vision of providing one billion meals to hungry people.
And with a stellar supporting cast helping Barry spread his goodwill for the past 17 years, GVCF reportedly has already provided 520 million free meals to hungry people around the globe.
Known as the “Global Village Champions,” the GVCF boasts of a star-studded ensemble of prominent personalities from the world of sports, entertainment, business, politics, philanthropy and social justice to serve as their ambassadors.
The list of advocates includes international recording superstar Celine Dion, basketball great Michael Jordan, movie star Steven Seagal and legendary astronaut Buzz Aldrin, among others.
Latest members also include two world-renowned boxers who are set to slug it out for a mega-fight in November.
Barry, recipient of the 2010 Gusi Peace Prize for Social Services, Philanthropy and Humanitarianism for his unending efforts in GVCF, is in the country to spread the word about GVCF, and has worked with salvation army and Rotary International.
It was Barry’s business travels in the past for his soy food industry that led him to see the unfortunate conditions of many children and families across the globe. This urged him to build the philanthropic organization that will provide meal-delivery missions to the less fortunate communities.
In its quest to eradicate hunger in the world, GVCF, however, will need more than just these icons and superstars’ help.
The GVCF strongly encourages people around the world to care about their own community and help out a local food bank or volunteer their time and skills to help people who are in need as well.
The foundation has partnered with other well-known, nongovernmental organizations in the past like Red Cross, C.A.R.E. and the United Nations to provide other services to the underprivileged besides direct meal donations.
Having already reached and helped almost every country in the world with its services through its advocates, GVCF plans to continue expanding its Global Village Champions team to include people with diverse skills and a determination to make a difference in the world.
(Visit www.gogvc.com for more information.)