I'll be the first to admit that I'm a very fortunate guy. I've been steadily employed in the entertainment business since I was a teenager, having produced and appeared in a number of successful television series and films. I'm currently chairman of MTV Networks Kids & Family Group, I host the hit show America's Got Talent and a popular New York morning radio show, and am about to release a comedy album. And my amazing wife and I just welcomed two beautiful babies on our third wedding anniversary. I don't say this to brag -- I'm extremely grateful that I've had so many great opportunities and blessings, especially for someone who's only 30 years old. I'm merely reflecting on my life as I'm preparing for what is undoubtedly going to be the most important and challenging job of my life -- parenthood.
Like most new dads, I've been spending a lot of time thinking about what the future will hold for my twins, and what kind of world they'll live in. I'm extremely thankful that I'll be able to provide for them, but I realize that right now, a lot of parents in this country are struggling to give their kids even the most basic necessities of life -- such as food. I think back to my own childhood, when we sometimes had to visit food banks to get food on our table. I know firsthand what it feels like to have to overcome the feelings of inadequacy, embarrassment and shame and ask for help. It's one of the hardest things anyone will ever have to face.
That's why I've started working with Feeding America, the nation's leading domestic hunger relief agency. I'm acutely aware that celebrities have the ability to reach a great number of people with any type of messages we want to convey, and I'm choosing to convey a message of hope. A message to the 50 million Americans struggling with hunger that they are not alone, and that needing help is nothing to be ashamed of. As a new father, it is especially heartbreaking to know that 1 in 4 children in this country are not getting enough to eat on a regular basis. Every parent wants the best for their children, and the fact is that kids cannot learn, grow and thrive without proper nutrition.
Because of my own personal history with hunger, I am compelled to do something to help. Not just for those who are in need, but also to start setting good examples for my children on altruism and on being good citizens. I'm very proud of my mother and how she handled the struggles she faced, and I want to honor her by being the best father I can be. As a new member of Feeding America's Entertainment Council, I'll help raise awareness about the issues around hunger and help mobilize the public to get involved. My first "assignment" is to promote Stamp Out Hunger, the largest single-day food drive in the world, taking place on Saturday, May 14th.
Stamp Out Hunger is in its 19th year, and has collected over 1 billion pounds of food over the years. Organized by the National Association of Letter Carriers, the food drive is carried out in every postal district in the country. It's very easy to participate. Just place non-perishable food items in your mailbox or hand to your letter carrier, and the postal workers will make sure it gets delivered to those who need it most. They'll distribute the food by partnering with Feeding America, which runs over 200 food banks around the country and feeds 37 million people each year. The collected food will be distributed among 10,000 communities, including the many disaster-stricken states.
We Americans have a strong history of coming together when we have to, so I urge everyone to join in on the Stamp Out Hunger food drive and also support hunger relief throughout the year. Even though I visited food banks as a child, I was shocked to learn just how many in this country are facing hunger. On the faces of the men, women and children that depend on food banks every day in our communities are reminders that each of us has the power and obligation to make a difference. What will you do to help? I want my kids to grow up in a country where people care about their neighbors and will gladly help those who have fallen on hard times, don't you? Go to www.feedingamerica.org to find a local food bank near you and get involved.
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Hunger in America | Feeding America
"I'm very proud of my mother and how she handled the struggles she faced, and I want to honor her by being the best father I can be"
That statement says a lot.
Government programs like WIC and Food-stamps are being reduced due to budget cuts, and food banks are being closed around the country due to fewer donations. Moreover, a 2009 U.N. report stated that almost 17,000 children die of starvation every single day! There must be a point when we, as human beings, decide that this is unacceptable.
sadly, there are far too many. and there will be a lot more very soon. every day the numbers grow.
ever been to India? that's what the future holds for us.
The richest nation on earth chooses to NOT assist it's poorest and those by accident of birth, least able to assist themselves. Rather, the perpetuation of promoting individuals stepping in to deliver "charity" as they see fit.
No one ever seems to step back and ask the question, why do we have these conditions in the first place?
The working poor, the poor, hungry and otherwise disadvantaged are to put it bluntly, not important to America.
Have a look at what Public money and resources are spent on to see what is important.
After World War II no child has had to go hungry nor be homeless in my home country, no child or adult has had to go without medical treatment and no people have ever gone bankrupt because of medical bills.
Of course, my country doesn't go around the world screaming we are #1 even if that is the case according to statistics.
And what is this "Feeding America"? A charity? That is your problem right there - charities are a part of the problem and never the solution! Fix the god damn problem, once and for all - sure it will require a few less guns, tanks and stealth fighters but seriously...
Why aren't they?
Anybody notice that nations with the most controlling governments have the most hunger?
Want to end hunger? Grow freer markets.
Works every time.
Who feeds the world. The U.S. or Russia or China?
Who, for the sole motive or profit, came up with the greatest agricultural developments?
If you'd bother to do some homework here on Earth you'd discover that the countries with the strongest regulated markets have the least poverty. Period.
The least amount of hunger you will find on our planet is in Europe. Scandinavian countries, Germany, Holland, Belgium, France, all of the EU have very strongly regulated banking institutions and economy and very strong governments.
They have the highest quality of life and the least amount of starvation. Also, highest standard of education.
Don't take my word for it (which you won't). Look it up.
And of course their response is charity. Just charity. Never will they ask for and end to corporate welfare.
Profiting from slave labor and then giving a handout to charity isn't being kind.
We need to look at subsidies to big farms/agriculture, oil companies and many other big businesses that continue to over compensate the CEO's while at the same time laying off or underpaying/under insuring the blue collar worker.
Want to see hunger? Travel.
Not all children are eligible for free school lunches, and children are not in school on the weekends, holidays, or during the summer. There are also millions of people living in rural and remote areas who don't have access to food banks or even supermarkets. Additionally, people living in poverty never have a chance to save enough money to escape their situation, and the formula that determines food-stamp eligibility means even an annual salary of $15,000/year can be too high to qualify for benefits.
If you want to see hunger, you don't need to travel beyond the U.S. borders.