Both Trisha Yearwood and Paula Deen discussed the need of programs like Second Harvest and the help they provide.

Furthering CMT’s commitment to the Nashville community after the recent flooding, the network will use its biggest show of the year, the 2010 CMT MUSIC AWARDS, as a platform for helping those affected in Tennessee. CMT will be making a $40,000 donation to the local affiliate of CMT ONE COUNTRY non-profit partner, Feeding America, to assist children who suffer hunger insecurity. The donation will provide 160,000 meals for over 400 school-aged children during the entire 2010-2011 school year through the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee’s BackPack Program, which will in turn help children whose families’ have been affected by the recent flood.

This donation will be in lieu of celebrity gift bags, a long-time tradition of award shows. Superstar Trisha Yearwood, who is a presenter at the ninth-annual awards show, will serve as a spokesperson for this initiative on the 2010 CMT MUSIC AWARDS red carpet as well as at an event marking this donation on Thursday, June 10.