Notable Conversations Today
Public understanding of hunger is shaped not only by data and policy, but by whose voices are heard. These conversations bring visibility to hunger through the perspectives of artists, athletes, journalists, and public figures who have helped move the issue into the national conversation. Their words have reached wide audiences and helped challenge assumptions, elevate empathy, and remind the public that hunger exists in every community.
"We are calling upon everyone in America — the business community, policy makers and the public — to do what they can to help people battling hunger in their communities. Hunger is in each and every one of our backyards." Source
Buzz Aldrin
Apollo 11 Astronaut
Second Human on the Moon
“Americans have accomplished such wondrous feats. The space program began with a commitment, which enabled us to overcome the myriad obstacles that stood in our way. If we could get a man on the moon in 1969, we can certainly end US hunger by 2030.” Source
Camila Alves
Model and Designer
Feeding America Entertainment Council
"No one should experience hunger, especially children. I was very surprised to learn that 44 million people face hunger in the U.S and about 13 million children live in food-insecure households. I never expected to see these numbers in the United States."
"It was really difficult in coming home and not having a lot to eat and really skimping and knowing what it feels like to be hungry. It’s a terrible feeling, especially for children. Children need food to learn, to thrive, to have successful lives—that’s really what it’s about, helping people and families."
Halle Berry
Actress
"Every human on this Earth deserves clothes on their back and food in their mouth. I'm honored to use my voice to spread awareness about hunger." Source
Justin Bieber
Singer
"I remember being poor and being teased by other kids. I remember sitting in restaurants with my mother and she'd make me order water instead of soda. And I also remember that, when I got my first paycheck, I was so glad to be able to use that money to take care of my mother."
Simone Biles
Olympic gymnast champion
11 Olympic medals
30 World Championships
“Growing up, me and my siblings were so focused on food because we didn’t have a lot of food.” Source
“One of the greatest feelings in the world is knowing that we as individuals can make a difference. Ending hunger in America is a goal that is literally within our grasp.” Source
Kelly Clarkson
Singer and Songwriter, TV Personality
“We lived pre-paycheck to pre-paycheck…and grew up poor and without a lot of family stability.” Source
Mark Consuelos
Actor and TV personality
"Food Insecurity is something that we can really bring a lot of awareness to, something that should be addressed."
Misty Copeland
Principal Dancer, American Ballet Theatre
"I've talked openly about the fact that there were times when my family was on food stamps during my childhood. It wasn't about the best and healthiest foods. We ate to survive. After becoming a professional dancer and coming to understand that my body is my instrument, I finally appreciated the importance of nutrition. So, I can relate to the millions of families in this country who don't have access to fresh produce. I also know the impact these foods can have on our bodies, our health and our spirit." Source
Katie Couric
Journalist and News Anchor
“To think that one child would go to bed hungry somewhere in this country is heartbreaking... to know how many do is virtually incomprehensible. It happens right here in our own backyard. Together, as concerned citizens, we must do more to make sure every child's needs are met.” Source
"I was once a kid who faced food insecurity. When Ayesha and I launched Eat.Learn.Play. in 2019, we saw the tremendous need that existed in our adopted hometown of Oakland and set out to use our platform and resources to help unlock the full potential of the kids in our community. Everyone deserves the chance to live a happy, healthy childhood. We can really end hunger here in our country."
Viola Davis
Actress
“I did everything to get food. I've stolen for food. I jumped in huge garbage bins with maggots for food. I had befriended people in the neighborhood who I knew had mothers who cooked three meals a day for food, and I sacrificed a childhood for food and grew up in immense shame.” Source
Ted Danson
Actor
“Kids who are hungry do poorly in school and are unlikely to grow into productive adults. For families, experiencing hunger means living in a world of isolation and shame. Caring citizens must put an end to this national disgrace.”
Jimmy Donaldson
(MrBeast)
YouTube creator with most subscribers
“241 million tons of food are produced in the U.S. every year. And what is frightening is that more than one-third goes to waste. This means that 150 million potential meals are being thrown into landfills, while 44 million Americans live with limited access to food."
Kevin Durant
NBA professional basketball
Phoenix Suns
“It was so clear to me at a young age that if you didn’t get up every day and work till it was dark, you weren’t eating. So, working hard and never cutting corners wasn’t even a question for me because we were starving.” Source
Jennifer Garner
Actress
"While I did not grow up poor, I was surrounded by it, and I always said I was a generation and a holler removed from rural poverty." Source
"It just amazes me — millions of Americans are forced to make a choice between going hungry and medicine. And 6 million of those are 60 or over."
Tiffany Haddish
Actress
“Food insecurity is a real thing for me, something I’ve experienced in the majority of my existence.” Source
Hugh Jackman
Actor
"I think hunger is one of the most debilitating things anyone can experience. It is not a natural state. It is not the way things should be. It is more than a moral issue. It is imperative for us all to do everything we can to conquer this." Source
50 Cent Jackson
Rapper and Actor
"We all have choices to make in life, but I don't think anyone should have to choose between putting food on their table or a roof over their heads."
Lebron James
4-time NBA Basketball Champion Los Angeles Lakers
"One out of five American children struggle with hunger and I think one is too many. With one action, one can make a huge impact." Source
Dwayne Johnson
(The Rock)
Actor, Film Producer, and Retired Professional Wrestling Champion
"We couldn't even afford Thanksgiving dinner and were praying someone would invite us over their house to eat." Source
Kesha
Singer and Songwriter
"My family relied on food stamps and I'm the same person I was when I was selling clothes to buy a taco for dinner." Source
John Legend
Singer, Songwriter, and Actor
"I grew up around people who were on food stamps, people who were living week to week, day to day sometimes, to get the food they needed. If you don't live in that setting, you don't realize that so many people are going through this, and we want to bring it to the forefront." Source
Julia Lewis-Dreyfus
Actress and Comedian
"The American people are go-getters. When there's a problem, they roll up their sleeves." Source
Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds
Actors
“We know the struggles, and we are grateful for the opportunity to help facilitate the important work of food banks to be able to provide nourishing meals to people in need.”
Ludacris
Rapper and Actor
"One in five children face hunger in our country, now that’s Ludicrous. We do this because we are all family in one form or another."
"Growing up, there were many times when I didn't know if we were going to be able to afford to eat. We relied on lunch programs and food stamps. Today one in eight Americans faces hunger or food insecurity. Most of us don't realize that people can be hardworking and still struggle to put food on the table."
"I recognize the mission to spread the word and rally the country in the fight to end hunger. 15 million children suffer from hunger in the U.S. We will continue to raise awareness and provide meals to children and families in need across the country."
“It makes me want to cry. As a mom, I’ve got two kids, I would do anything to feed them.”
Gordon Ramsay
Celebrity Chef, Restaurateur, and Television Presenter
“With the current cost-of-living crisis on everyone’s minds and rising food prices being a world-wide problem, now more than ever, households across America face the very real issue of food insecurity."
Lionel Richie
Singer and Songwriter
“What you pray for in your entire career is that you actually leave some kind of mark on the world. Co-writing We Are the World marked the day I became a citizen of the world.”
Sylvester Stallone
Actor
“When I was a kid, my mother used to feed me mashed-potato sandwiches, Brussel sprout sandwiches; my brain cells were starving from lack of food. I'll eat anything. I'll eat dirt. Me and my dog Butkus were both thin, hungry, and living in a flophouse above a subway stop. Years later when things got even worse, I had to sell him for $40 in front of a 7-Eleven store, because I couldn't afford food.”
Hilary Swank
Actress and Film Producer
"Growing up in a lower-income family, you don't have the resources to make ends meet. My background is not something I forget. It helps me to not take what I have for granted."
Taylor Swift
Singer and songwriter
"Words can break someone into a million pieces, but they can also put them back together. I hope you use yours for good." (Attributed)
Chrissy Teigen
Model, Author, and TV Personality
"Too many households simply don't have enough food for every family member to lead a healthy life. Family mealtimes are a source of anxiety rather than a moment of connection. This is simply unacceptable. Now more than ever we need bold, new ideas to ensure our neighbors, co-workers and friends get the food and resources they need to thrive."
Shania Twain
Singer and songwriter
“We often went to school hungry. It's very hard to concentrate when your stomach's rumbling. I would certainly never have humiliated myself enough to reach out and ask for help and say, ‘You know, I'm hungry. Can I have that apple that you're not going to eat?’”
Zendaya
Actress and singer
"Too many kids will go back to school hungry this year, but we can do something about that. My generation has the opportunity to change the world."
