”Food is such a basic human need. There is nothing frivolous about hunger,” says Melanie Benitone Neal, explaining how the concept behind the Greater Chicago Food Depository first caught her interest 10 years ago. ”I thought it was so marvelous that there was an organization that worked to feed the hungry with surplus food-food that otherwise would have been wasted.”
Neal, then one of Chicago`s busiest photo models, put that interest on hold as she pursued a successful career, delved into studies at Columbia College and ran a household as well.
It was during the Christmas holidays last year that numerous newspaper stories about the depository again piqued her interest, and she called to volunteer. ”I stuffed envelopes until the director thought it was time for me to go on to something else,” she says.
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What she decided to do was to get her colleagues-particularly those in the modeling and photography worlds-to back her favorite cause. Models such as Gerry Weitz, Kerry Harper and Bob Wolter responded; so did photographers Tom Maday, Marc Hauser and Stan Malinowski. They are now among the ”Hunger Fighters” who are planning a black-tie-optional party to benefit the Food Depository Aug. 18 at the Chicago Historical Society. Scheduled for 7:30 p.m. to midnight, the party includes cocktails and hors d`oeuvres, a sweet table, jazz/rock entertainment and an auction of goodies with city and fashion appeal. Tickets are $60 each; for information, phone Tamara Nelson at 247-3663.
”Everybody`s real gung-ho,” exults Neal. ”It`s as though we were all waiting for a cause. I think it`s the first time that this part of Chicago`s fashion industry has worked together for a charity.”
But it won`t be the last. They`re optimistically calling it the ”first annual Hunger Fighters Benefit.”