As poverty and hunger continue to affect more people around the world, Heifer International keeps working to engage new audiences and thank those who have supported our mission to end hunger and poverty and protect the Earth.

Heifer’s first major ticketed fundraiser, called “Beyond Hunger: A Place at the Table,” is planned for Sept. 21, 2012, in Los Angeles. The night, hosted by Diane Lane as well as Nina Jacobson, Jane Fonda, Sheryl Crow and Tracey Ullman, is a chance to bring participants closer to our work and to thank special guests Mary Steenburgen and Ted Danson for their longtime support. 

We are lucky to have many celebrity endorsers who lend their voices to our efforts to raise funds to end hunger and poverty. Other stars that have agreed to serve on the dinner committee include Ed Asner, Ashley Judd, Kirsten Dunst, Mia Farrow, Adrian Grenier, Patricia Heaton, Susan Sarandon and David Hunt, as well as Allison Janney, Anna Lappe, Amy Madigan and Ed Harris, and Keisha and Forest Whitaker.

Beyond Hunger is more than a star-studded event, though. It’s also Heifer International’s pledge to the future, to help celebrate women—all women who aspire to fulfill their dreams of happiness, opportunity and prosperity. As the theme of the evening suggests, it begins with food security, income and assets—a place at the table—but the destination is equality, access and, most of all, full participation.

The success of this evening will allow Heifer to help even more families faster. So if you’re interested in participating in this elegant event, reserve your place at the Beyond Hunger table and purchase tickets at www.heifer.org/beyondhunger.