The Powerful Voices Of Feeding America: Who Are The Spokeswomen Leading The Fight Against Hunger In 2025?

As of December 15, 2025, the role of "spokeswoman" for Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, is not held by a single individual but is powerfully split between two highly influential figures: a world-renowned celebrity advocate who shares her personal story, and the organization’s strategic Chief Executive Officer. This dual leadership is crucial as the organization navigates one of the most challenging periods in its history, marked by a sharp rise in food insecurity across the United States and significant threats of federal funding cuts to programs like SNAP and WIC. The public face and the executive voice are working in tandem to amplify the urgent message that hunger is a pervasive and growing crisis, affecting millions of American households. While actress Scarlett Johansson brings star power and a deeply personal connection to the cause through national Public Service Announcements (PSAs), CEO Claire Babineaux-Fontenot provides the strategic direction and the authoritative voice on policy and the logistics of the vast network of *food banks* and *food pantries* across the country. Understanding both of these women is key to grasping the scale of the anti-hunger movement today.

The Dual Faces of the Movement: Celebrity Advocate and Executive Leader

Feeding America utilizes both high-profile celebrity advocacy and expert executive leadership to maximize its reach, address policy makers, and galvanize public donations. This strategy ensures their message resonates from Hollywood to Capitol Hill.

Scarlett Johansson: The Personal Voice of Hunger Advocacy

Scarlett Johansson, a celebrated actress and member of the *Feeding America Entertainment Council*, serves as the most visible celebrity spokeswoman, lending her voice and personal narrative to the cause. Her involvement is far from a typical endorsement; it is rooted in her own childhood experience with *food insecurity*. The actress has publicly shared that her family relied on *public assistance* and food programs to provide meals during her formative years. These meals, she notes, were the fuel that allowed her to pursue her interests in theater and the arts as a child. This deeply personal connection makes her advocacy particularly poignant and effective, turning abstract statistics into a relatable human story. Through her partnership with *Feeding America* and the *Ad Council*, Johansson has starred in several powerful PSAs, including one that directly addresses the reality that one in five American children struggles with hunger. Her message consistently focuses on the impact of healthy food on a child's development and the necessity of ensuring every family has access to adequate nutrition. Her role is vital in raising public *awareness* and driving individual donations to the network of over 200 *food banks* and 60,000 *food pantries* and meal programs.

Claire Babineaux-Fontenot: The Strategic Leader and Voice of the Network

The operational and strategic voice of the organization belongs to *Chief Executive Officer* Claire Babineaux-Fontenot. Since taking the helm in 2018, she has overseen the nation's largest domestic *hunger-relief organization*, which is also recognized as one of the largest U.S. charities. Babineaux-Fontenot is a powerhouse executive, having been named by *Time* as one of the world's most influential people in 2020. Her leadership has been defined by a focus on data-driven solutions and advocating for systemic change, not just emergency food distribution. Her key achievements include:

• Network Expansion: Steering the massive network of member *food banks* through unprecedented challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic instability.
• Policy Advocacy: Serving as the primary spokesperson on critical federal policy issues, including the protection of programs like the *Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)* and *WIC* (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children).
• Data Transparency: Championing the annual *Map the Meal Gap* report, which provides localized data on *food insecurity rates* across every county in the United States.

A major and recent update is the announcement of her planned departure in 2026. This news comes at a critical juncture, highlighting the immense pressure and challenges facing the organization and setting the stage for a major transition in leadership.

The Urgent Crisis: Why Their Voices Matter Amidst Rising Hunger and Funding Cuts

The dual advocacy of Johansson and Babineaux-Fontenot is more critical now than ever, as recent data confirms a severe escalation in the hunger crisis, exacerbated by economic pressures and political decisions.

Alarming Food Insecurity Statistics

The latest data available, often cited by both spokeswomen, reveals a startling increase in the scope of the problem. The national *food insecurity rate* has risen sharply, jumping from 10.4% in 2021 to 13.5% of U.S. households in 2022, representing the largest single-year increase since 2008. This translates to approximately *47.4 million people* living in households experiencing *food insecurity*—a number that continues to put immense strain on the *Feeding America* network. These figures underscore the reality that high inflation, particularly for groceries, and the end of certain pandemic-era federal assistance programs have pushed millions of Americans to rely on their local *food banks* for survival.

The Threat of Federal Funding Cuts

A major focus of Claire Babineaux-Fontenot’s recent statements has been the severe threat posed by federal funding reductions. The organization has vocally opposed proposals and actions that cut funding to essential programs. Recent actions have seen billions of dollars in federal funding cut, which directly impacts the ability of *food banks* to acquire and distribute food. This financial strain forces the network to purchase more food at commercial rates, significantly increasing operating costs at a time when demand is at an all-time high. The organization’s *Elevating Voices: Insights Report 2025* highlights that 80% of those served are deeply concerned about potential *cuts to food banks' funding* and supplies, demonstrating a widespread anxiety about the stability of the food safety net.

Beyond the Spokeswoman: The Feeding America Network and Its Future

The work of the spokeswomen is intrinsically linked to the immense logistical and human effort of the entire *Feeding America network*. The organization is not a single entity but a collective of dedicated professionals, volunteers, and advocates.

The Broader Advocacy Network

While Scarlett Johansson is the most famous face, other key figures contribute to the public relations and advocacy efforts. *Connie Britton*, also an actress, is a key member of the *Entertainment Council*. Additionally, actress *Shanola Hampton* has been featured in recent TV spots, reading letters from individuals struggling with hunger, adding another layer of authenticity and emotional resonance to the campaign. On the policy front, *Carrie Calvert*, Vice President of Agriculture and Nutrition Government Relations, is a crucial voice in advocating for the network's interests in Washington D.C..

Navigating the Future of Hunger Relief

The impending departure of CEO Claire Babineaux-Fontenot in 2026 means the organization will soon be searching for a new executive leader to guide its strategic vision. This transition will occur amidst ongoing economic volatility and the continuing struggle against *food insecurity*. The next CEO will inherit the immense challenge of maintaining the network’s capacity while battling legislative threats to *federal spending* on food assistance. The enduring message from all the voices—from the celebrity advocate to the executive leader—is a call for collective action. They stress that ending hunger is not just a matter of charity but a matter of national priority, requiring sustained public support, corporate partnership, and robust government policy to ensure every American has access to the basic human right of food security.