'Found' Star Shanola Hampton Talks Volunteering With Her Kids: "Count Your Blessings and Be a Blessi

'Shameless' actor Shanola Hampton got candid with 'Distractify' about giving back alongside circle of relatives and raising her kids to be philanthropists.

Whether she's chaining her adolescence kidnapper (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) up in her basement or supporting the unhinged South Side Chicago-based Gallagher clan along her unswerving guy, Kev (Steve Howey), Shanola Hampton is known for bringing star power to the small screen.

The Shameless and Found actor-producer continuously injects a heat presence into her characters, however Shanola's likability extends past her character work, as she used to be raised an activist.

"My family is a family of philanthropists. So it actually was something that was instilled in me," she completely advised Distractify. "My dad is a minister, my grandfather was a minister — doing philanthropy is what life's purpose should be about."

Today, Shanola and her hubby, Daren Dukes, get their kids concerned about charity work, making it a family affair.

Specifically, the Through the Glass Darkly star supports and works intently with Los Angeles-based nonprofit The Art of Elysium and Feeding America — the largest hunger-relief organization within the U.S.

The Feeding America Entertainment Council member spoke with Distractify about her ongoing dedication to the meals insecurity nonprofit, bonding with her kids by the use of giving back, and the importance of charity during the vacation season.

A Feeding America event noticed Shanola Hampton and Connie Britton cross out Thanksgiving foods with their kids.

Getting in the holiday spirit, Shanola volunteered along fellow actor and mother Connie Britton (The White Lotus) at L.A.'s St. Francis Center in November 2023. Both stars brought their households alongside to offer a helping hand.

"St. Francis does wonderful things right in the heart of L.A.," Shanola mentioned ahead of gushing concerning the Thanksgiving charity tournament.

"They gave a nice hot breakfast. I'm talking coffee — everything was there. [We] cleaned up after breakfast, got the meal prep for Thanksgiving dinner — it was Thanksgiving with all the fixings. That Turkey was so juicy."

There was a colourful joy in Shanola's voice as she mentioned her kids' involvement with Feeding America.

"My son was packaging boxes ... [meanwhile] my daughter was sweeping in between. We not only packaged hot, hot food, we then got big boxes and [packed] every produce [imaginable]," she persisted.

When we asked Shanola about educating her kids — Cai MyAnna Dukes and Daren O.C. Dukes — to offer back, she highlighted both conversation and motion.

"It is definitely not only important, but a must in our house to have the spirit of giving, and for [my kids] to see the ways other folks are living and to be part of the solution," she shared. She also wants her youngins to care about being part of the solution.

"Having those sorts of conversations, I think it not only bonds the family, but it really does something great for the world," she added.

Sweetly, Shanola and Connie's households bonded right through the event, spawning an annual holiday custom.

"Connie's son and my daughter, they just hit it off and they weren't singing songs and helping each other. It promotes this sort of teamwork, camaraderie for a purpose. ... It keeps a conversation in their generation," she informed us with a smile. "Connie and her family, they are just such great human beings. So we've now vowed to meet [at the St. Francis Center] every year."

Shanola Hampton on her love for Feeding America: "It's boots on the ground doing the work."

Shanola attended her first Feeding America tournament between five and seven years ago, and was inspired through the extent of hands-on involvement anticipated of her.

"It's not just doing events and raising money, you can actually see where the money is going," she told Distractify. "One thing that I will never be is a name on a piece of paper. I need to know what an organization is doing, and then how those funds are spent. And to also be a part of the volunteer process."

Additionally, Shanola was astounded by the U.S. starvation statistics.

"It's really gotten to a number that has been shocking. ... It's not just the unhoused, it's also people who have roofs over their heads," she defined.

According to Feeding America, 44 million people are plagued with hunger within the U.S.

"That's what Feeding America does, we bring healthy produce, great food to families, and also to the unhoused ... I'm so blessed to be a part of it."

Shanola believes giving again during the holiday season is particularly essential, as it might "build a foundation" for the remainder of the 12 months.

"During the holiday season, people are more in tune to want to give, right? ... So if we can start the foundation for those who have not been active ... and they can [understand] what it feels like to help give someone a hot meal, what it feels like to donate, put their boots on the ground and see it, maybe that feeling lasts longer than Christmas and Thanksgiving."

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