Free Screening of Acclaimed Film ‘A Place at the Table’ Set for Oct. 30
DELAWARE, Ohio – Why are almost 50 million Americans hungry, and why are more than 23.5 million children and teen-agers overweight or obese (and sometimes hungry, too)? What triggers and connects these trends? What systems and institutions perpetuate food insecurity, and what reforms will ensure that people get the healthy food they need?
To engage central Ohio in a conversation about these questions, the community is invited to take its place in the fight to end hunger and ensure that everyone has access to healthy, affordable food during a free screening of the critically acclaimed documentary “A Place at the Table,” directed by Kristi Jacobson and Lori Silverbush.
The screening will be held at 7 p.m. Oct. 30 at Zion United Church of Christ, 51 W. Central Ave. (State Route 37), Delaware, and will be followed by a panel discussion on local issues. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The event is sponsored by Zion UCC, Ohio Wesleyan University, and Andrews House in association with Participant Media and Active Voice. Jo Ingles of the Ohio Public Radio/TV News Bureau will moderate the discussion.
The event is part of Participant Media’s “Take Your Place” social action campaign, which uses the documentary to inspire community conversations and get people involved in efforts to address systemic food issues. The campaign also has received support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
OWU assistant professor of Health and Human Kinetics Christopher Fink, Ph.D., who helped to bring the film to Delaware, said he hopes it spurs people to action.
“One reviewer called it ‘a film that should make you furious,’ ” said Fink, who directed last year’s Sagan National Colloquium on food and who is part of a new “Course Connections” program that enables Ohio Wesleyan students to study food from political, social, economic, scientific, cultural and other viewpoints. “I view it as a call to action … and I think you will as well.
“In addition to the viewing of the film, we have partnered with the Delaware General Health District; People in Need, Inc.; the Hunger Alliance of Delaware County; Bread for the World; and others to host a panel discussion following the film. … The partner organizations will also have staff, materials, and information available in a tabling area, providing an avenue for attendees to get involved locally in this important issue.”
Learn more about the film, a Magnolia Pictures release, at www.takepart.com/place-at-the-table and more about the “Take Your Place” social action campaign at actioncenter.takepart.com/apatt. Learn more about Ohio Wesleyan’s Course Connections at https://www.owu.edu/academics/the-owu-connection/course-connections/.
ABOUT PARTICIPANT MEDIA
Participant Media is a global entertainment company founded in 2004 to focus on feature films, television, publishing, and digital content that inspire social change. Its more than 40 films include “An Inconvenient Truth,” “Food, Inc.,” and “The Help.” Learn more at www.participantmedia.com.
ABOUT ACTIVE VOICE
Active Voice tackles social issues through the creative use of film. It believes that real progress requires real connection, and that film has a unique power to bring people together in meaningful ways. Active Voice has worked with a wide range of award-winning films, including “Food, Inc.,” “The Visitor,” “Made in L.A.,” and “American Promise.” Learn more at www.activevoice.net.
ABOUT ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is the nation’s largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to health and health care. It works with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, measurable, and timely change. Learn more at www.rwjf.org.
ABOUT OHIO WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1842, Ohio Wesleyan University is one of the nation’s premier small, private universities. Ohio Wesleyan offers more than 90 undergraduate majors, sequences, and courses of study, and 23 NCAA Division III varsity sports. OWU combines an internationally focused curriculum with off-campus learning and leadership opportunities that connect classroom theory with real-world practice. Learn more at www.owu.edu.