NPACH, SNL Star Announce Los Angeles Benefit Show

"Saturday Night Live" star Will Forte will host and perform a comedy benefit for The National Policy and Advocacy Council on Homelessness (NPACH) in Los Angeles, on Monday, December 19 at The Groundlings Theater. Also appearing are Forte's performing partner Mike Schwartz ("Scrubs") and award-winning comedian/writer Demetri Martin. All proceeds from the evening will go to support NPACH’s public education, technical assistance, research, and advocacy initiatives, including its ongoing post-Hurricane Katrina reconstruction efforts in the Gulf South, home to the organization’s Southern Regional Office.

New Orleans, LA (PRWEB) October 13, 2005 -- The National Policy and Advocacy Council on Homelessness (NPACH) is proud to announce a special benefit as part of the organization's "Homelessness Isn't Funny" campaign. The event, slated for Monday, December 19 at 8PM at The Groundlings Theater in Los Angeles, will feature a performance by "Saturday Night Live" cast member Will Forte, who serves as honorary chairman of the campaign. Also appearing is Forte's performing partner Mike Schwartz (writer, TV's Scrubs) and comedian Demetri Martin, whose credits include writing for Late Night with Conan O'Brien. Martin also received the 2003 Edinburgh Fringe Festival's Perrier Comedy Writing Award. All proceeds from the evening will go to support NPACH's public education, technical assistance, research, and advocacy initiatives, including its ongoing post-Hurricane Katrina reconstruction efforts in the Gulf South, home to the organization's Southern Regional Office.

"We're excited about this opportunity to bring greater awareness to the issue of homelessness and housing instability in America," said NPACH Executive Director Dr. Brad Paul. "We're extremely grateful to Will for the work he's done in helping organize this event, along with Mike Schwartz and Demetri Martin for donating their talents, and to the Groundlings Theater for the venue."

NPACH launched the "Homelessness Isn't Funny" campaign earlier this year as a series of comedy and music performances and public education events dedicated to increasing understanding and awareness of homelessness. Along with Forte, other comedians who have joined the campaign include Emmy-winning writer and performer David Feldman, San Francisco-based Doug Ferrari, and Los Angeles' Laura Swisher.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 37 million Americans live in poverty, and the US Conference of Mayors Annual Survey on Homelessness and Hunger indicates the number of people experiencing homelessness increased in 2004. Each year, an estimated 3.5 million Americans will experience homelessness, with families and children representing the fastest growing segment of the population.

NPACH's primary concern is to ensure that national homelessness policy accurately reflects the needs of local communities. NPACH works to accomplish its mission through education, grassroots organizing, research, and technical assistance to local communities.

Donors and those wishing to sponsor the event should contact NPACH's National Headquarters at (202) 714-5378, or via e-mail at info@npach.org.

For more information: http://www.npach.org, or e-mail rwilbanks@npach.org.

Contact:

Rob Wilbanks

National Policy and Advocacy Council on Homelessness

Southern Regional Office

916 St. Andrew Street                                    

New Orleans, LA 70130

(504) 524-8751        

http://www.npach.org

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