About the 1986 Cultural Phenomenon
Our mission is to join hands, to form a nationwide network, and engage our country in the fight to end hunger and homelessness in America.
Our mission is to join hands, to form a nationwide network, and engage our country in the fight to end hunger and homelessness in America.
When “Just Impossible Enough” Became Possible
As a dream that erupted into an unparalleled demonstration of unity and heartfelt concern, Hands Across America formed a national consensus that hunger and homelessness anxiously awaited aid from those who had the innate ability to help shelter and feed fellow Americans in need.
Hands Across America positioned itself as one of the largest community events in our nation’s history, bringing together more than 6 Million Americans to form a human chain across New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington D.C., Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California.
Backed by sponsors like Coca-Cola Company and CITIBank as well as over 700 other companies, the movement became a national phenomenon.
CANVASSING THE COUNTRY
“Off-line” events that occurred in states including Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin allowed the Hands Across America event to canvas the country in a multitude of ways. Managing to go international, the event had spinoffs in West Germany, South Korea, Guam, Newfoundland, Japan, Puerto Rico, Bermuda and the Virgin Islands.
LENDING A HAND
As a butterfly effecting from the initial events of Hands Across America and USA for Africa, celebrities, government, political and religious leaders sought initiatives to resolve the tragedy of homelessness and hunger in our country.
National and local news organizations launched public service and community programs and students of all ages initiated projects to tackle the problem in their communities and to raise awareness and funds.
