Hands Across America (HANDS) was launched in October, 1985. Considered at that time to be the largest community participation effort in our nation’s history, HANDS was just impossible enough to be possible.

The dream quickly erupted into an unparalleled show of heartfelt concern. The event brought together millions of people to generate a national consensus that hunger and homelessness existed and that we must answer the call to help shelter and feed those in need. It was an impassioned outpouring in tandem with America’s response to the famine in Africa in 1985.