Claire Babineaux-Fontenot named 2024 Laetare Medal recipient
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The University of Notre Dame will award the 2024 Laetare Medal to Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Chicago-based Feeding America, during the university’s commencement ceremony on May 19.
Babineaux-Fontenot has led the not-for-profit since 2018 and navigated the organization through several challenges, including the increase in food insecurity brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Laetare Medal is the oldest and most prestigious honor given to American Catholics. It is awarded annually to a person “whose genius has ennobled the arts and sciences, illustrated the ideals of the Church and enriched the heritage of humanity.”
Forbes named Feeding America the largest charity in the nation for 2022. The organization distributed over five billion meals last year through its network across the country, the university said.
“Over 10 million children are food insecure here, in the richest country in the history of civilization,” Babineaux-Fontenot said in a university news release. “That means we need to continue to get the word out. We should help people to understand that the game isn’t over. Notre Dame knows a thing or two about football, right? You don’t leave the field before the game is over. The game’s not over with hunger.”
Babineaux-Fontenot said she is ready to continue the fight, seeking new ways to address food insecurity and championing new legislation in Congress. Feeding America recently announced a partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services to explore the link between food insecurity and health outcomes.
“Claire Babineaux-Fontenot has devoted herself to answering Christ’s call to feed the hungry and care for those who are most vulnerable, and in doing so has created a network that sustains millions of Americans every day,” Notre Dame President Rev. John Jenkins said in the release. “Under her visionary leadership, Feeding America has become a beacon of hope not only to the individuals and families it serves, but for all who share her vision of eliminating food insecurity in this country.”
Prior to leading Feeding America, Babineaux-Fontenot served as vice president of finance and global treasurer at Walmart and has amassed over three decades of leadership experience across government and private enterprise.