Tina Knowles' 'Miss A Meal' Campaign Employs Daughters Beyonce, Solange In Fight Against Hunger

Why Beyonce's Mom Is Skipping Meals
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With Beyonce on her way to complete world domination this year, her mother, Tina Knowles, is focusing her attention on more altruistic endeavors with a new anti-hunger campaign called "Miss A Meal."

The project -- a partnership with Houston, Tx. non-profit Bread of Life Inc. -- aims to feed millions of Americans by encouraging people to skip a meal and donate the money they would have spent to feed those who are less fortunate.

Knowles, who tapped her daughters Beyonce and Solange to get the word out about the campaign, said missing one meal is a small sacrifice for many.

"When we say 'we are starving,' we have to remember that there are people who are literally starving," Knowles said in a release. "If everyone fed one person, one meal, we could make a huge difference."

The good deed isn't new for the Knowles, despite what critics, including actor Harry Belafonte, have said.

"I was 13 and my sister Solange was 8 when we started donating and serving meals to the homeless after church," said Beyonce on her family's longstanding partnership with Bread of Life. "There were people from all walks of life, even children, who needed a meal. We learned that we are all three paychecks away from poverty. It was a lesson in humility for all of us."

In a written response to actor Harry Belafonte, who accused Beyonce and husband, Jay-Z, of turning their backs on social responsibility, the singer's camp released a list of the her charitable acts, including co-founding a multi-purpose community outreach facility in downtown Houston where recovering heroin addicts from around the country can study cosmetology.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, an estimated 85.1 percent of American households were food secure throughout the entire year in 2011, making hunger a popular cause among do-gooder celebs.

Last year, actor Taye Diggs teamed up with Kellog for the company's annual "Share Breakfast" campaign, while rapper 50 Cent partnered with the United Nations to provide one meal for every bottle of his Street King energy drink that was sold.

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Before You Go

Most Charitable Celebs
No. 1: Justin Bieber(01 of11)
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Being a "Belieber" means so much more than just fawning over the teen heartthrob's sweeping hairdo -- it also means keeping up with the pop star's constant charity giving, from auctioning off his bike to playing in a basketball fundraiser game. The pop star's most recent generous endeavor was launching a charity campaign along with his holiday album. It benefited seven charities, including Pencils of Promise and City of Hope. "I know firsthand that if you believe in your dreams, everything is possible," Bieber said on his website. Find a charity you "Beliebe" in here. (credit:Getty)
No. 2: Lady Gaga(02 of11)
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For her outspoken support and advocacy for members of the LGBT community, Lady Gaga was honored with the Trevor Hero Award earlier this month. "Our young people are at the center of a health crisis, and vocal leaders like Lady Gaga...have stepped up to help change our culture," David McFarland, interim executive director and CEO of the Trevor Project, said in a statement. One of the many "You and I" singer's charity initiatives this year included auctioning off nude photos and a naked portrait of herself on eBay to benefit her Born This Way Foundation. Learn more about Gaga's charity, launching in 2012, here. (credit:Getty)
No. 3: Bono(03 of11)
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Determined to end the famine that took the lives of nearly 30,000 children in Africa, Bono, who is a HuffPost blogger, commissioned the help of big-name celebrities to produce The F Word: Famine is the Real Obscenity, a short film that informs of the famine's devastating effects. Sign ONE's petition here to call on world leaders to help. (credit:Getty)
No. 4: Scarlett Johansson(04 of11)
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It wasn't enough for Scarlett Johansson to just a write a check for those suffering from hunger and drought in East Africa. The actress, an Oxfam ambassador, chronicled her experience through a series of exclusive HuffPost blogs. She described the conditions, learned about long-term solutions and met with pastoralists and farmers who described a sense of hope amid heartache -- ultimately galvanizing others to get involved in the cause. To help Oxfam continue to save famine victims, donate here. (credit:AP)
No. 5: Angelina Jolie(05 of11)
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Ten years after getting inspired to help refugees while filming "Tomb Raider" in Cambodia, Angelina Jolie is still fulfilling her mission to raise awareness for global humanitarian issues with the UNHCR. Jolie was honored for her decade of service in October and was asked to take on the expanded role of "special envoy" to the nations that are struggling the most. Help give a voice to refugees by donating to UNHCR here. (credit:Getty)
No. 6: 50 Cent(06 of11)
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Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson made an about-face in 2011. The HuffPost blogger, motivated by his struggles growing up, launched a line of energy drinks that provides meals for families in Africa. Jackson also wrote a book this year on bullying -- acknowledging he was once part of the problem. Help 50 give back by visiting his site here. (credit:Getty)
No. 7: Matt Damon(07 of11)
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To teach kids how important it is to advocate for countries that don't have clean water, Matt Damon dressed up as Santa Claus for Christmas and told the children perched on his lap how wishing for a Water.org bottle this season could hep bring potable drinking water to those in need. Support Water.org's holiday campaign here. (credit:Getty)
No. 8: Ben Affleck(08 of11)
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When the historic Congo election came with ballot stuffing, intimidation and a lack of support for women and illiterate voters, Ben Affleck headed out there in December to investigate what was happening on the ground. This HuffPost blogger returned with a three-part series, co-written with Cindy McCain, about the injustices people in the region face. (credit:Getty)
No. 9: Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher(09 of11)
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In true form, Ashton Kutcher mixed entertainment and information, aiming to reach a wide audience in April when The Demi and Ashton Foundation launched a huge campaign to spread awareness about sex slavery. The launch video for the campaign, featuring Arianna Huffington, spurred conversation about the issue and brought to light the harsh facts surrounding trafficking. Take action to fight sex slavery by visiting the DNAFoundation here. (credit:Getty)
No. 10: Ellen Degeneres(10 of11)
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Ellen DeGeneres was named the Obama administration's new secret weapon this year in the fight against AIDS. DeGeneres was deemed the new special envoy to raise global awareness, the Associated Press reported. Sec. of State Hilary Rodham Clinton cited DeGeneres' "sharp wit and big heart, and her impressive TV audience and 8 million followers on Twitter." The TV host also supports animal, poverty and breast cancer organizations, among dozens of other charities. Support DeGeneres and the work of the Global Fund here. (credit:Getty)
No. 11: Sheryl Crow(11 of11)
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To help breast cancer sufferers facing the disease that she overcame, Sheryl Crow helped found the Sheryl Crow Imaging Center -- in conjunction with L.A.'s Pink Lotus Breast Center -- which offers the latest advancements in digital screening and diagnostic imaging technologies. The only one of its kind in the country, the center provides free treatment to uninsured women. Want to help a patient in need? Donate here. (credit:Getty)