During a Variety Power of Women luncheon,  actress Viola Davis shared that she suffered poverty as a child and had to resort to stealing and rummaging through maggot-filled garbage just so she could eat.

Davis, along with Jennifer Lopez, Reese Witherspoon and Jane Fonda, was recognized for her humanitarian efforts during the Lifetime-sponsored event held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

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Author Cheryl Strayed, actress Allison Janney, American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest and actress Maria Bello, were also present in the said luncheon.

The 49-year old Davis shared that having gone through poverty and hunger as a child prompted her to work with the "Hunger Is" campaign in order to end childhood hunger, particularly in the United States. Working on the campaign has been "the joy of her life".

The "How To Get Away With Murder" star shared that she had grown up with "immense shame", but that she was grateful to have come out of it a success and, that she has been given the opportunity to share her experience with other people. She stated that by letting others know what she had to go through has allowed her to begin healing.

Lopez, Witherspoon and Fonda also shared what prompted them to pursue humanitarian efforts.

"American Idol" judge Lopez shared that her children inspired her to establish the Lopez Family Foundation with the help of her sister Lynda. The foundation, which focuses on helping impoverished families acquire high-quality healthcare, was created when Lopez and her sister were pregnant at the same time.

Witherspoon, who is best known for starring in romantic comedies, shared that she too was inspired by her daughter to get involved with the Malala Fund, an organization founded by the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner, 17-year old Malala Yousafzai, whose primary focus is education.

Fonda, who has been involved with several charitable organizations such as Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Power & Potential, shared that "service is the rent you pay for life."

Fonda launched the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Power & Potential in order to prevent teen pregnancy as well as promote a healthy lifestyle amongst adolescents.