Hollywood actress Drew Barrymore announced her very generous contribution to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) on Monday during her appearance on the Chicago-based "Oprah Winfrey Show."

"I'm able to make this incredible donation — this has changed my life,'' she said on the show. "But I encourage everyone to give.''

The 33-year-old actress' personal donation to WFP, a U.N. body that delivers millions of tons of food aid to more than 70 million people in about 80 countries helped kick off WFP's "Fill the Cup" campaign that aims to feed 59 million hungry school children in developing countries for a year.

"I have seen with my own eyes what a difference a simple cup of nutritious porridge can make in a child's life," said the Barrymore, who has traveled to Kenya twice in the past two years as a WFP ambassador against hunger. "It helps them learn, stay healthy and sets them on track for a bright future. I urge everyone — everywhere — to help WFP 'Fill the Cup' for hungry children, and make hunger history."
 
Later, she told The Associated Press that her $1 million donation was "by far" the largest one she has ever made.

"But nothing has ever felt so good," she said.

WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran expressed her gratitude to Barrymore and urged others in the United States to contribute to the "Fill the Cup" campaign.

Sheeran also noted that for only 25 cents a day, WFP can provide an entire school meal to a child in a developing country.

"Just $50 fills a child's cup for a year, and we call on everyone to click on wfp.org and make a donation," she said.

"We have a dream...to feed another 10 million hungry schoolchildren in Africa by Thanksgiving Day," Sheeran added.

The Rome-based agency, which has an annual budget of about $3 billion, said in a statement that it needs $500 million more this year than it anticipated due to the rising food prices.

There has been a 40% rise in commodity prices since the middle of last year, caused in part by skyrocketing energy costs and rising consumer demand in developing countries such as India and China, the main sources of food for the program.

Last year only, the organization provided more than 20 million children with a daily cup of porridge, rice or beans and also gave many girls a monthly ration to take home to their families.