The Chew and Feeding America Team Up

The U.S. is one of the richest nations in the world, but also faces a fast growing poverty and hunger crisis.  According to recent statistics from FeedingAmerica.org, one in six people lives with “food insecurity, which means they don’t always know where they will find their next meal.”  This far-reaching problem not only affects adults but also approximately 17.2 million of children under 18, says the United States Department of Agriculture.

The Chew team - Mario Batali, Michael Symon, Carla Hall, Clinton Kelly and Daphne Oz - is joining Feeding America to battle this epidemic.  And YOU can help too (read on to find out how). Feeding America is the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity, and their network members supply food to more than 37 million Americans each year, including 14 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, they work with more than 200 member food banks and support 61,000 agencies that address hunger in all of its forms.

As part of the partnership with Feeding America, The Chew will donate a dollar for each person who sits in its hundred and fifty seat studio audience throughout the 2011-2012 television season.  Each dollar donation provides eight meals to someone at risk of hunger, and all monetary donations support the two hundred local Feeding America member Food Banks nationwide.

The Chew has donated 213,896 meals so far!

Those at home can help, too. Visit the Feeding America website to find out more about this initiative and hunger in America, as well as how you can donate to help the cause.