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What do the popular TV show, “The Biggest Loser” and the national Feeding America program have in common? At first glance, you might think nothing, but a closer look reveals otherwise. September is Hunger Action Month, and efforts are under way to provide healthy food to families in need. Feeding America is the nation’s leading charitable hunger-relief organization and provides groceries each year to 25 million Americans at risk of hunger.

Campaigns are encouraging Americans to fight hunger in a big way by giving up something small. Publicity efforts talk about how giving up one latte could provide nine meals; a lunch out, 15 meals; a new purse, 135 meals; and a round of golf 180 meals. The Feeding America website even provides a calculator to help you get started and see how many meals a donation could provide.

And getting back to the correlation between hunger and The Biggest Loser, the program not only showcases obese Americans in their struggles in losing weight, it also educates participants and television viewers alike about healthy eating and ways to eat less, exercise more, and to feel great–on the inside as well as the outside. Charitable giving to an organization that deals with the opposite end of the hunger and food spectrum is a way to offer a lasting connection.

Many food banks are beginning their drives now in order to stock their shelves for what is expected to be a huge year for helping to serve families in need–especially around the upcoming holidays. As the economy continues to take its toll on family incomes and the ability to feed family members nutritional meals, community support through canned food drive or cash donations are appreciated more than ever. If you’re on the road to losing weight and having a healthier lifestyle yourself, donating what you might have previously spent on fast-food or extra food can go to a great cause and bring a smile to the giver and receiver alike!