Davis gave an emotional speech while accepting an award for her humanitarian work at the Variety Power of Women luncheon.
Celebrities like Jane Fonda, Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Lopez were also recognised for their efforts.
"Although my childhood was filled with many happy memories, it was also spent in abject poverty. I was one of the 17 million kids in this country who didn't know where their next meal was coming from," said 'The Help' star.
Davis said she joined the Hunger Is campaign with the Entertainment Industry Foundation and the Safeway Foundation because of the programme's goal to completely end hunger.