Recalling her childhood, Oscar-nominated star Viola Davis revealed that hunger was a constant presence in her life while growing up prompting her to steal food.
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.
"And 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."
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.
