Jewel, ‘Here’s Hope’ Aids Effort to Combat Child Hunger

Jewel is among the artists contributing her time and talents to help keep American children from going hungry. The singer is taking part in ConAgra Foods' Child Hunger Ends Here campaign, now in its third year, by contributing an original song, 'Here's Hope,' and exclusive video content now available for free at the official Child Hunger Ends Here website and at the singer's official site. Also participating in the initiative are artists Owl City and Jay Sean. Aided by their efforts and by support from the public, ConAgra Foods is working toward an overall goal of donating five million meals during this school year, in addition to their Foundation's $10 million, 5-year commitment to Feeding America, the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization.

"A lot of people think child hunger is something that happens in other countries, they don't realize how prevalent it is here in the United States," Jewel tells The Boot of her motivation for becoming involved. "It affects our kids right here in our backyard. There are 16 million who don't know where their next meal is coming from. It's not homeless kids. It's not kids whose parents don't have jobs. It's families that are really struggling with the economy and having to choose between the medication they need or groceries they need over the weekend. A lot of these kids will get a hot meal at school and that's it."

Jewel acknowledges that even she experienced some of the same issues now affecting so many millions of youngsters, when she was growing up in Alaska, and she didn't know there was anything unusual about the situation.

"It didn't really dawn on me that that's called 'meal insecurity'," says the 37-year-old mom, whose son, Kase Townes is now eight months old. "It was just life. That's the amazing thing about kids, you're so adaptable. It's something I struggled with as a kid when I was in Anchorage. A lot of my friends did. There wasn't anything to eat until the next day at school. On the ranch, it was much easier because the land provided for us.

Jewel's musical contribution to Child Hunger Ends Here, 'Here's Hope,' was partly recorded in Nashville, with the singer's vocals recorded at home on her Texas ranch, which she and her young son share with husband and rodeo champ, Ty Murray.

"My goal with the song wasn't to depress people but to give people hope and just letting people know where to lend their support," she explains. "Americans are so charitable; we love helping people and that's so important, especially when it comes to our kids. Being a new mom, it makes you very aware of how awful it would feel as a mother to not be able to provide for your child and how much you would appreciate that help. It's an American project and I like to help my fellow Americans. I like for us to focus our efforts on building up America."

The singer and author, who is also currently mentoring contestants on NBC's 'The Voice,' notes that folks who wish to get involved in the program have plenty of options. "There are so many different levels this charity can work on," she says, "whether it's to just go down to a food bank and donate your time or to just go online and download a free song. In return for downloading a free song, you're going to donate a meal to someone. That's really amazing."

Jewel adds that ConAgra, which manufactures dozens of food brands, has donated more than $36 million to hunger relief since 1993. And while she's encouraged by the efforts of the ConAgra corporation and confident in the American people, Jewel admits she's less than happy with the tone the country's politicians and news media have taken as the 2012 election season heats up.

"It's disheartening," says the singer-songwriter. "I watch [enough TV] so that I can do my civic duty but I can't watch for very long. It just makes you crazy. I don't know where the ethics are. They all need to go live with some cowboys for a while."