Craig Williamson’s Child Hunger Project

Photography by: Nick Leiter Mele

Craig Shawn Williamson, renowned author, philanthropist, and veteran CEO, has made it his mission to end childhood hunger through The Child Hunger Project. The inspiration behind this groundbreaking non-profit stemmed from a deep sense of anger and heartbreak, as Williamson was able to bear witness to the devastating effects of food insecurity. “That visceral response pushed me to create actionable change,” he said. “Along the way, I realized that tackling child hunger is about providing food, but also restoring hope and creating opportunities for vulnerable children to thrive.” Since its inception nine years ago, The Child Hunger Project has already made a profound impact. From designing innovative merchandise to raise awareness and funding, to establishing alliances with global organizations.

How You Can Help

Childhood hunger is fueled by poverty and systematic inequalities, leading to a limited access to nutritious food. “Every night, millions of children go to bed hungry, enduring not only the physical toll of malnutrition, but also the emotional and developmental setbacks that jeopardize their futures. Addressing these root causes is essential for creating meaningful, lasting change,” Williamson explained.

The most impactful way to fight childhood hunger is to become a Hunger Hero. Hunger Heroes are advocates, volunteers, and community leaders who raise awareness, mobilize resources, and drive lasting solutions to combat child hunger in their communities. “This role extends beyond donations, it’s about leading change from the frontlines,” Williamson said.

The Child Hunger Project  provides extensive training, resources, and support to help their community of philanthropists take impactful action—whether organizing food drives, engaging in local outreach, or leveraging social media to raise awareness. “Donations are crucial to sustaining our programs, but the true impact comes from taking the next step. By volunteering, advocating, or inspiring others, you can amplify the fight against child hunger,” Williamson explained.

Innovative Programs

One of Williamson’s most ambitious initiatives took place in Costa Rica, where he not only aided in the fight against food insecurity, but also addressed infrastructure challenges like electricity and water costs.“I worked to improve school food programs, ensuring students receive the nutritious meals they need to thrive,” Williamson said. “I even invested my funds to realize these efforts, underscoring my dedication to making a meaningful difference.” His efforts did not go unnoticed. In 2017, Costa Rica’s Ministry of Education recognized his work, a testament to how individual commitment can drive systemic change.

But Costa Rica was only the beginning. Under Williamson’s leadership, The Child Hunger Project has launched initiatives such as Plant to Plate and Bingo for Hunger, expanded food distribution programs, and partnered with community organizations to educate families about nutrition. “The Child Hunger Project has become a beacon of hope, demonstrating that dedication and action can drive real progress against childhood hunger,” Williamson said.

The organization has also turned its attention to Liberia, where children face severe food shortages. By applying the same hands-on, sustainable approach, Williamson hopes to make a lasting impact in even more communities.

Compelling Calls to Action

While Williamson has spent years on the front lines of the fight against hunger, 2024 marked a new chapter with the launch of The Child Hunger Project Podcast. Recognizing the need to expand his message and engage a broader audience, Williamson created a platform to share updates, insights, and compelling calls to action. “Podcasting gives us a direct line to people who care,” Williamson explained. “We can cut through the noise and speak to supporters, potential donors, and advocates in a way that feels personal. I want listeners to feel like they’re sitting across from me at a table, having a real conversation about how we can end child hunger together.” With the podcast, Williamson aims to do more than inform—he wants to mobilize. His ultimate goal is to transform passive listeners into active participants in the movement.

“Every single person listening has the power to make a difference,” he said.

The 15-minute episodes provide succinct, yet powerful discussions on a range of critical topics—from child hunger statistics and the psychology behind donor engagement to grassroots strategies that create real change. But Williamson sees this as only the beginning.

“In 2025, we’re taking the podcast even further,” he shared. “We’re bringing in Hunger Heroes, nonprofit leaders, and advocates who have dedicated their lives to fighting food insecurity. These conversations will be raw, insightful, and solution-driven. We’re not just talking about the problem—we’re showcasing real, actionable ways to solve it.”

With major partnerships forming in the fashion and music industries, The Child Hunger Project is also facilitating collaborations that go beyond traditional fundraising. “People connect with causes in different ways,” Williamson explained. “Some will donate, some will volunteer, and others will engage through the brands, music, and digital content they love. That’s why we’re meeting them where they are—whether that’s through philanthropic fashion, music collaborations, charitable gaming, or AI-generated music projects.”

 

The Future

Williamson and his team are focused on expanding their reach like never before, forging new partnerships and leveraging innovative strategies to drive awareness, engagement, and funding. “In the beginning, it was just me showing up at a school, seeing a need, and doing whatever I could to help,” Williamson said. “Now, we have an entire movement behind us. It’s humbling, and it’s also a responsibility—because the more we grow, the more children we can reach.”

While growth and innovation are driving forces, Williamson is clear that the core mission remains unchanged: ensuring every child has at least one meal a day. He firmly believes that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to child hunger. Instead, he envisions an orchestra of solutions—multiple efforts working in harmony to create lasting impact. “People always ask, ‘What’s the solution to child hunger?’” he said. “The truth is, there isn’t just one. It’s a thousand different solutions working together—food programs, education, advocacy, partnerships, grassroots initiatives. Each piece plays a role, and when they come together, that’s when we create real, lasting change.”

As The Child Hunger Project moves into this critical phase of growth, Williamson remains steadfast in his belief that ending child hunger is possible—but only if people come together to make it happen. With an army of Hunger Heroes behind him, he’s determined to make sure that no child has to go to bed hungry ever again.

childhungerproject.com