'The Chew' joins forces with Feeding America to help fight hunger

300,000 meals to initially be provided to people in need during first season of "The Chew" will support 200 local area food banks nationwide

During Monday's episode of "The Chew," it was announced that ABC Daytime's new lifestyle series has joined forces with Feeding America to help fight the hunger epidemic in America. Hosted by "Iron Chef America" stars Mario Batali and Michael Symon, "Top Chef" alum Carla Hall, entertaining and style expert Clinton Kelly and health and wellness enthusiast Daphne Oz, "The Chew" brings viewers a daily dose of food, life and fun along with information on how to live a more full and healthier life.

As part of the partnership with Feeding America, "The Chew" will donate $1 for each person who sits in its 150-seat studio audience throughout the 2011-12 television season. Each $1 donation provides eight meals to someone at risk of hunger, and all monetary donations support the 200 local Feeding America member food banks nationwide.

In addition, viewers can visit http://www.abc.com/thechew to donate directly to Feeding America and support the non-profit organization's efforts to supply countless Americans with food items and meals during these tough economic times. 

Throughout its first season on the air, "The Chew" will update viewers on this ongoing partnership with Feeding America by profiling its efforts in a variety of ways, including segments that will provide information on how viewers can continue to help on both the local and national levels. "The Chew" will also share the stories of the many people around the country who are benefiting from this partnership with Feeding America. 

"We are proud to be partnering with Feeding America," said "The Chew's" executive producer Gordon Elliott. "With more and more Americans finding themselves out of work - and sadly - hungry, the need is greater than ever. If 'The Chew' can help shine a spotlight on the national issue of hunger in America and help families, neighbors and people in need, then we are honored to have this platform to help."

"Feeding America is thrilled that 'The Chew' has made an ongoing commitment to helping raise awareness of hunger in our nation. This collaboration will help us make important strides in our efforts to provide food and groceries to more than six million Americans each week," said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America.

Feeding America provides low-income individuals and families with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity, its network members supply food to more than 37 million Americans each year, including 14 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire U.S., more than 200 member food banks support 61,000 agencies that address hunger in all of its forms.

For more information on how you can fight hunger in your community and across the country, visit http://www.feedingamerica.org. Find Feeding America on Facebook at facebook.com/FeedingAmerica or follow its news on Twitter at twitter.com/FeedingAmerica.

For recipes, videos, tips and real-time Twitter and Facebook commentary about "The Chew," visit www.abc.com/thechew.