Download Hibernian Hunger Award Application
The Great Hunger that took place in Ireland from 1845 – 1849 literally changed the face of the
Emerald Isle forever. During this time period over one million men, women and children died
from starvation. At the same time, many Irish men women and children emigrated to Britain,
Canada, and the United States in the hope of escaping this horrific tragedy that had befallen their
native land. In reality, though the potato blight did happen, there was plenty of food in Ireland
that could have fed, and more than likely saved the million plus who died. The wealthy
landowners in Ireland shipped their crops and other edible food items to England and the other
parts of the world for profit.
In remembrance of this dark period in Irish History, in 2003 AOH National President Ned
McGinley and the National Boards of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and Ladies Ancient Order
of Hibernians established the Hibernian Hunger Project as a means to honor those who had died
during the Great Hunger; to educate Irish America and beyond about the an Gorta Mor; to help
with the hunger problem in the US and to show the generosity of the AOH and LAOH
membership.
The first AOH National Hunger Project took place in March 2003 and Divisions, County and
State Boards were requested to participate. The reason March was selected was not because it
was Irish Heritage Month, but rather because traditionally it is a time when food banks and soup
kitchens are low on food supplies after the winter months. Many Divisions and Boards
enthusiastically responded to this call to action and resoundingly demonstrated the generosity of
the AOH and LAOH. It is in this spirit that today why many Hibernians volunteer throughout the
year at soup kitchens and food pantries.
The Hibernian Hunger Project as noted above also serves as a means to educate our membership
and America about what really took place in Ireland 180 plus years ago. For many Americans,
this was the first time many had heard the Great Famine referred to as the Great Hunger, and
now today, 21 years after the Hibernian Hunger Project was initiated, Irish America. is more
attune as to what really occurred in the late 1840’s in Ireland.
Certainly, the Covid-19 pandemic that has engulfed our country and the world drastically
changed. the economic lives of many. Many Hibernian Divisions and Boards were among the
first to step up to the plate by initiating food drives, donating money and food to local food
pantries and shelters to help their fellow citizens during these challenging and urgent times of
need, and still continue to do so today.
For 21 plus years the AOH Hunger Project has been the impetus for Hibernians throughout the
US, to provide for community outreach and to be part of the solution to combat hunger in the
US, truly exemplifying the AOH motto of “Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity” at its
best!
Hibernian Hunger Project Call to Action:
In future Digest articles, Web Blasts and Posts, we would like to showcase Hibernian Division,
County and State Boards efforts on just what they are doing to combat hunger in their areas.
However, for this to happen, we will need your help! Please email us a short article on an activity
that your Division, County or State Board has done to combat hunger. Whether it be a food
drive, volunteers helping out a food pantry, soup kitchen, fundraising or similar event, these
stories are needed to show the good works being done by our members. As they say, a picture is
worth a thousand words, so please email us your photos along with your story. Please send these
articles and photos to:
williamjsullivan@verizon.net Thanks!