The Gracie to Air Documentary Film About Hunger in America

Published on: October 9, 2013

BANGOR, MAINE – October 8, 2013 – The Gracie Theatre at Husson University, Bangor’s 
premier center for the performing arts, will screen the documentary film “A Place at the Table” on October 9th at 7:00 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.

The critically acclaimed documentary examines the systems and institutions that perpetuate food insecurity. According to the filmmakers, 50 million people in the United States – one in four children – don’t know where their next meal is coming from, despite our having the means to provide nutritious, affordable food for all Americans.

Directors Kristi Jacobson and Lori Silverbush examine this issue through the eyes of three people struggling with food insecurity. They are:

• Barbie, a single Philadelphia mother who grew up in poverty and is trying to provide a better life for her two kids.

• Rosie, a Colorado fifth-grader who oftern has to depend on friends and neighbors to feed her and has trouble concentrating in school.

• Tremonica, a Mississippi second-grader whose asthma and health issues are exacerbated by the largely empty calories her hardworking mother can afford.

Their stories are interwoven with insights from sociologists, authors, nutrition policy leaders,religious leaders, teachers, activists and media personalities including Top Chef’s Tom Colicchio and Oscar®-winning actor, Jeff Bridges.

“This is a great opportunity to help raise public awareness of hunger in America and what can be done to address it,” said Nico Jenkins, lecturer in ethics and philosophy in the School of Science and Humanities, and the Ethics and Philosophy Program at Husson University.

“A Place At The Table” is part of a documentary film series presented at the Gracie Theatre at Husson University and hosted by Dr. Jenkins as part of an effort to help stimulate awareness and discussion of critical moral and ethical issues.

The next motion picture in the series, “How to Survive a Plague”, is scheduled to be screened at The Gracie on November 21.

For more information about the screening, contact the box office at The Gracie at 941-7888 or visit GracieTheatre.com. 

Completed in October of 2009, The Gracie is Husson University's center for the fine and 
performing arts. This beautiful new 500-seat theatre is quickly earning a reputation as one of Maine’s premier performance venues. In addition, The Gracie also serves as a learning platform for students from the New England School of Communications in digital audio, sound mixing, set design and construction, lighting, acting and electronics. For more information, visit GracieTheatre.com

For more than 100 years, Husson University has prepared future leaders to handle the challenges of tomorrow through innovative undergraduate and graduate degrees. With a commitment to delivering affordable classroom, online and experiential learning opportunities,Husson University has come to represent superior value in higher education. Our Bangor campus and off-campus satellite education centers in South Portland, Wells and Presque Isle provide advanced knowledge in business; health and education; pharmacy studies, science and humanities; as well as communication. In addition, Husson University has a robust adult learning program. For more information about educational opportunities that can lead to personal and professional success, visit Husson.edu