Editing Ben Affleck (section)

==Philanthropy==

===Eastern Congo Initiative===
{{Main|Eastern Congo Initiative}}
[[File:Ben Affleck testifying to Congress on the Democratic Republic of Congo..jpg|alt=Ben Affleck, holding a pen and sitting behind a microphone, looks ahead while offering testimony|thumb|Affleck in 2011, testifying before the [[United States House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations|House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Human Rights]]]]

After traveling in the region between 2007 and early 2010, Affleck and [[Whitney Williams]] co-founded the nonprofit organization [[Eastern Congo Initiative]] in 2010.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Lerner |first=George |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/03/22/congo.affleck/index.html |title=Ben Affleck Launches Aid Group for Eastern Congo |work=CNN|access-date=August 31, 2010 |date=March 23, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100415051441/http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/03/22/congo.affleck/index.html |archive-date=April 15, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Parker |first=Paige |url=http://montanan.umt.edu/issues/fall-2015/just-ask-whitney/default.php |title=Just Ask Whitney |work=[[Montanan (magazine)|Montanan]] |date=Fall 2015 |access-date=April 13, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150920000522/http://montanan.umt.edu/issues/fall-2015/just-ask-whitney/default.php |archive-date=September 20, 2015}}</ref> ECI acts as a grant maker for [[Democratic Republic of the Congo|Congolese]]-led, community-based charities.<ref name="amanpour.blogs.cnn.com">{{Cite news|last=Lerner |first=George |url=http://amanpour.blogs.cnn.com/2010/03/23/ben-affleck-launches-initiative-for-congo-aid/ |title=Ben Affleck Launches Initiative for Congo Aid |access-date=October 8, 2014 |work=CNN|date=March 23, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014104326/http://amanpour.blogs.cnn.com/2010/03/23/ben-affleck-launches-initiative-for-congo-aid/ |archive-date=October 14, 2014}}</ref> It offers training and resources to cooperatives of Congolese farmers while leveraging partnerships with companies including [[Theo Chocolate]] and [[Starbucks]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.easterncongo.org/success-stories/cbo-success-stories/detail/236 |title=CBO Success Story Details |publisher=[[Eastern Congo Initiative]] |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016155518/http://www.easterncongo.org/success-stories/cbo-success-stories/detail/236 |archive-date=October 16, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.marketplace.org/topics/business/ben-affleck-sustainable-aid-eastern-congo |title=Ben Affleck on Sustainable Aid in the Eastern Congo |work=[[Marketplace (radio program)|Marketplace]] |first=David |last=Brancaccio |date=December 8, 2014 |access-date=March 27, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427014713/http://www.marketplace.org/topics/business/ben-affleck-sustainable-aid-eastern-congo |archive-date=April 27, 2015}}</ref> ECI also aims to raise public awareness and drive policy change in the United States.<ref>{{Cite press release|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ben-affleck-launches-initiative-to-support-local-solutions-in-eastern-congo-88826822.html |title=Ben Affleck Launches Initiative to Support Local Solutions in Eastern Congo |date=March 23, 2010 |agency=[[PR Newswire]] |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013052812/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ben-affleck-launches-initiative-to-support-local-solutions-in-eastern-congo-88826822.html |archive-date=October 13, 2014}}</ref>

Affleck has written op-eds about issues facing eastern Congo for the ''Washington Post'',<ref>{{Cite news|last=Affleck |first=Ben |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/29/AR2010112904242.html |title=Ben Affleck: How the United States Can Help Secure Congo |access-date=October 8, 2014 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=November 30, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018024915/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/29/AR2010112904242.html |archive-date=October 18, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Affleck |first=Ben |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/ben-affleck-congo-urgently-needs-us-help/2012/11/29/828cd2c2-37ef-11e2-8a97-363b0f9a0ab3_story.html |title=Ben Affleck: Congo Urgently Needs U.S. Help |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=October 8, 2014 |date=November 29, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018024912/http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/ben-affleck-congo-urgently-needs-us-help/2012/11/29/828cd2c2-37ef-11e2-8a97-363b0f9a0ab3_story.html |archive-date=October 18, 2014}}</ref> ''Politico'',<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Affleck |first1=Ben |last2=Shah |first2=Rajiv |url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0612/77386.html |title=Opinion: Ending Child Mortality |work=[[Politico]] |date=June 13, 2012 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227213950/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0612/77386.html |archive-date=December 27, 2014}}</ref> the ''Huffington Post'',<ref>{{Cite news|last=Affleck |first=Ben |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/ben-affleck/joseph-kony-ben-affleck_b_1344323.html |title=Kony 2012: Westerners Are Not And Will Never Be The 'Saviors' Of Africa |date=March 14, 2012 |work=[[HuffPost]] |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016103951/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ben-affleck/joseph-kony-ben-affleck_b_1344323.html |archive-date=October 16, 2014}}</ref> ''Time'',<ref>{{Cite news|last=Chi|first=Paul|date=February 16, 2009|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20259408,00.html|title=Ben Affleck Urges Hope in Eastern Congo – Good Deeds, Ben Affleck|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517205620/http://www.people.com/people/article/0%2C%2C20259408%2C00.html |archive-date=May 17, 2014|url-status=dead|work=People|access-date=June 5, 2014}}</ref> ''The New York Times''<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Affleck |first1=Ben |title=Ben Affleck: Why I'm Hopeful About Congo |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/05/opinion/affleck-eastern-congo-initiative.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171205192401/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/05/opinion/affleck-eastern-congo-initiative.html |archive-date=December 5, 2017 |url-access=limited|url-status=live |access-date=August 5, 2019 |work=The New York Times |date=December 5, 2017}}</ref> and the ''Los Angeles Times''.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Affleck |first1=Ben |title=Op-Ed: In the Democratic Republic of Congo, foreign aid matters |url=https://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-ben-affleck-hochschild-congo-foreign-aid-20190619-story.html |access-date=August 4, 2019 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=June 19, 2019 |archive-date=August 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190804142813/https://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-ben-affleck-hochschild-congo-foreign-aid-20190619-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He has appeared as a discussion panelist at many events, including at the [[Center for Strategic and International Studies]],<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Tanabe|first1=Karin|title=Ben Affleck, John Kerry Join Forces|url=http://www.politico.com/click/stories/1011/affleck_kerry_join_forces.html|website=Politico|access-date=April 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923022439/http://www.politico.com/click/stories/1011/affleck_kerry_join_forces.html|archive-date=September 23, 2011|date=November 30, 2010}}</ref> the [[Global Philanthropy Forum]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8X31zuLZ_YQ |title=In Conversation With Ben Affleck and Laurene Powell Jobs |publisher=[[Global Philanthropy Forum]]'s YouTube |date=October 24, 2012 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518174746/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8X31zuLZ_YQ |archive-date=May 18, 2015}}</ref> and the [[Clinton Foundation#Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) and CGI U|Clinton Global Initiative]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/maura-kelly/ben-affleck-bono-and-stin_b_12123640.html |title=Ben Affleck, Bono, and Sting Help Bill Clinton Convene Final Clinton Global Initiative. |first=Maura |last=Kelly |date=September 26, 2016 |access-date=April 13, 2017 |work=HuffPost |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319111351/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/maura-kelly/ben-affleck-bono-and-stin_b_12123640.html |archive-date=March 19, 2017}}</ref> During visits to Washington D.C., Affleck has testified before the [[United States House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations|House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Human Rights]],<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Gavin|first1=Patrick|title=Congo Crisis Pairs Ben Affleck, Cindy McCain|url=http://www.politico.com/click/stories/1103/affleck_mccain_on_congo.html|website=Politico|access-date=April 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110311114654/http://www.politico.com/click/stories/1103/affleck_mccain_on_congo.html|archive-date=March 11, 2011|date=March 7, 2011}}</ref> the [[United States House Committee on Armed Services|House Armed Services Committee]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-xpm-2012-dec-19-la-et-mn-ben-affleck-testifies-about-the-congo-in-washington-20121219-story.html |title=Ben Affleck Testifies in Congress About War-Torn Congo |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=October 8, 2014 |first=John |last=Horn |date=December 19, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024225026/http://articles.latimes.com/2012/dec/19/entertainment/la-et-mn-ben-affleck-testifies-about-the-congo-in-washington-20121219 |archive-date=October 24, 2014}}</ref> the [[United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations|Senate Foreign Relations Committee]],<ref>{{Cite news|last=Cassata |first=Donna |url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/affleck-casts-spotlight-situation-congo |title=Affleck Casts Spotlight on Situation in Congo |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=February 26, 2014 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018231800/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/affleck-casts-spotlight-situation-congo |archive-date=October 18, 2014}}</ref> and the [[United States Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs|Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Projects]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Warren |first=James |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/ben-affleck-bill-gates-nonprofits-praised-senate-hearing-article-1.2163229 |title=Ben Affleck, Bill Gates Nonprofits Praised at Senate Hearing |work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]] |location=New York |date=March 26, 2015 |access-date=April 13, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619183552/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/ben-affleck-bill-gates-nonprofits-praised-senate-hearing-article-1.2163229 |archive-date=June 19, 2017}}</ref>

===Other charitable causes===
Affleck is a supporter of the A-T Children's Project. While filming ''Forces of Nature'' in 1998, Affleck befriended ten-year-old Joe Kindregan (1988–2015), who had the rare disease [[ataxia-telangiectasia]] (A-T), and his family.<ref name="people.com">{{Cite news|last=Fields-Meyer |first=Thomas |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20134995,00.html |title=A Friend in Need |work=People |date=July 30, 2011 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014190341/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0%2C%2C20134995%2C00.html |archive-date=October 14, 2014}}</ref> He became actively involved in fundraising for A-T,<ref name="cnn2004">{{Cite news|title=Larry King Live: Interview With Ben Affleck |url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0403/16/lkl.00.html |work=CNN|access-date=April 13, 2017 |date=March 16, 2004 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161007004456/http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0403/16/lkl.00.html |archive-date=October 7, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Shultz |first=Cara Lynn |url=http://www.people.com/people/gallery/0,,20397214_20803490,00.html |title=Ben Affleck & Jennifer Garner's Happy Marriage – Slide 3 |work=People |date=June 25, 2010 |access-date=April 13, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304094349/http://www.people.com/people/gallery/0%2C%2C20397214_20803490%2C00.html |archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref> and he and Kindregan testified before the [[United States Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies|House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health & Human Services, and Education]] in 2001, asking senators to support stem-cell research and to double the budget of the [[National Institutes of Health]].<ref name="people.com"/> In 2007, Affleck was the keynote speaker at Kindregan's high school graduation ceremony in Fairfax, Virginia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.accesshollywood.com/articles/ben-affleck-heads-back-to-school-to-honor-graduate-59648/ |title=Ben Affleck Heads Back To School To Honor Graduate |work=[[Access Hollywood]] |date=June 1, 2007 |access-date=April 13, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808134642/https://www.accesshollywood.com/articles/ben-affleck-heads-back-to-school-to-honor-graduate-59648/ |archive-date=August 8, 2016}}</ref> Kindregan appeared as an extra in ''Argo'' (2012).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.accesshollywood.com/joe-kindregan-on-his-heartwarming-friendship-with-ben-affleck-over-the-years_video_1429835 |title=Joe Kindregan On His Heartwarming Friendship With Ben Affleck Over The Years |work=Access Hollywood |date=February 4, 2013 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813002136/http://www.accesshollywood.com/joe-kindregan-on-his-heartwarming-friendship-with-ben-affleck-over-the-years_video_1429835 |archive-date=August 13, 2014}}</ref> In 2013, in celebration of Kindregan's 25th birthday and "15 years of friendship with Joe and his family," Affleck and Garner matched donations made to the A-T Children's Project.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://atcp.org/affleckgarnermatch |title=Ben, Jennifer and Joe |publisher=A-T Children's Project |year=2013 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015140851/https://atcp.org/affleckgarnermatch |archive-date=October 15, 2014}}</ref> Affleck appeared in ''CinemAbility'' (2013), a documentary film which explores Hollywood's portrayals of people with disabilities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/katharine-kramer/cinemability-explores-cur_b_5515035.html/|title=CinemAbility" Explores Current Civil Rights Movement and Marks 6th Installment Of "Kat Kramer's Films That Change The World|first=Katharine|last=Kramer|work=HuffPost|date=June 23, 2014|access-date=October 8, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140629003754/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/katharine-kramer/cinemability-explores-cur_b_5515035.html|archive-date=June 29, 2014}}</ref>

[[File:AffleckFeedAmerica09 (cropped).jpg|alt=Ben Affleck speaks into a microphone|thumb|Affleck speaking at a [[Feeding America]] rally in 2009]]

As part of [[United Service Organizations|USO]]-sponsored tours, Affleck visited marines stationed in the Persian Gulf in 2003,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Silverman |first=Stephen |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,627284,00.html |title=Affleck Follows Fleet to Persian Gulf |work=People |date=December 23, 2003 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014190547/http://www.people.com/people/article/0%2C%2C627284%2C00.html |archive-date=October 14, 2014}}</ref> and troops at Germany's [[Ramstein Air Base]] in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kaiserslauternamerican.com/kmc-notices-and-events-jan-13-2017/|title=KMC Notices and Events – Jan. 13, 2017|date=January 12, 2017|publisher=[[Kaiserslautern Military Community|Kaiserslautern American]]|access-date=June 21, 2017|archive-date=July 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170714202025/http://www.kaiserslauternamerican.com/kmc-notices-and-events-jan-13-2017/|url-status=live}}</ref> He is a supporter of [[Paralyzed Veterans of America]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Carnevale |first=Mary Lu |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/08/27/ben-affleck-poker-champ-in-denver/ |title=Ben Affleck: Poker Champ in Denver |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |access-date=October 8, 2014 |date=August 27, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008083839/https://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/08/27/ben-affleck-poker-champ-in-denver/ |archive-date=October 8, 2014}}</ref> He filmed public service announcements for the organization in both 2009 and 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzT5VaXlyuI |title=Ben Affleck Supports Paralyzed Veterans |publisher=[[Paralyzed Veterans of America]]'s YouTube |date=October 8, 2009 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525165059/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzT5VaXlyuI |archive-date=May 25, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Ben Affleck, Award-Winning Director, Producer and Actor, Joins Paralyzed Veterans of America in Helping to Support and Honor Our Nation's Injured Veterans |url=http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/ben-affleck-award-winning-director-producer-actor-joins-paralyzed-veterans-america-helping-1912064.htm |publisher=[[Marketwired]] |access-date=April 13, 2017 |date=May 20, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413234945/http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/ben-affleck-award-winning-director-producer-actor-joins-paralyzed-veterans-america-helping-1912064.htm |archive-date=April 13, 2017}}</ref> He has also volunteered on behalf of [[Operation Gratitude]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.operationgratitude.com/2007/11/ben-affleck-joins-volunteers-at-holiday-drive-kick-off/ |title=Ben Affleck Joins Volunteers at Holiday Drive Kick-Off |publisher=[[Operation Gratitude]] |date=November 13, 2007 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812204255/https://www.operationgratitude.com/2007/11/ben-affleck-joins-volunteers-at-holiday-drive-kick-off/ |archive-date=August 12, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Foster |first=Sharon |url=http://archive.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=52380 |title=Affleck, Other Celebrities Help Volunteers Assemble Care Packages |work=[[DoD News Channel#American Forces Press Service|American Forces Press Service]] |date=December 18, 2008 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001070002/http://archive.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=52380 |archive-date=October 1, 2015}}</ref>

Affleck is a member of [[Feeding America]]'s Entertainment Council.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Fee |first1=Gayle |title=Ben Affleck On Acting and Activism |url=https://bostoncommon-magazine.com/in-good-company |website=Boston Common |access-date=April 15, 2017 |date=September 1, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416125426/https://bostoncommon-magazine.com/in-good-company |archive-date=April 16, 2017}}</ref> He made an appearance at the [[Greater Boston Food Bank]] in 2007,<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Fee|first1=Gayle|title=Ben Serves Up Helping Hand for Hub Food Bank|url=http://thetrack.bostonherald.com/moreTrack/view.bg?articleid=1004675|work=[[Boston Herald]]|access-date=April 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070607141011/http://thetrack.bostonherald.com/moreTrack/view.bg?articleid=1004675|archive-date=June 7, 2007|date=June 4, 2007}}</ref> and at a Denver food bank in 2008.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://blogs.denverpost.com/style/2008/08/28/help-feed-america/205/ |title=Help Feed America |work=[[The Denver Post]] |date=August 28, 2008 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |last=Davidson |first=Joanne |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014180821/http://blogs.denverpost.com/style/2008/08/28/help-feed-america/205/ |archive-date=October 14, 2014}}</ref> Affleck spoke at a Feeding America rally in Washington D.C. in 2009,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/anneschroeder/0109/A_little_concert_sponsored_by_Feeding_America.html |title=A Little Concert Sponsored by Feeding America |work=Politico |first=Amie |last=Parnes |date=January 19, 2009 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217144350/http://www.politico.com/blogs/anneschroeder/0109/A_little_concert_sponsored_by_Feeding_America.html |archive-date=December 17, 2014}}</ref> and filmed a public service announcement for the charity in 2010.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/gossip/2010/11/matt-damon-ben-affleck-feeding-america-psa.html |title=Matt Damon, Ben Affleck Reunite for Feeding America |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=October 8, 2014 |date=November 18, 2010 |first=Matt |last=Donnelly |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024230741/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/gossip/2010/11/matt-damon-ben-affleck-feeding-america-psa.html |archive-date=October 24, 2014}}</ref> Affleck and [[Ellen DeGeneres]] launched Feeding America's Small Change Campaign in 2011.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/ben-affleck-honored-by-writers-guild-with-valentine-davies-award-1201405183/ |title=Ben Affleck Honored by Writers Guild With Valentine Davies Award |first=Dave |last=McNary |date=January 14, 2015 |work=Variety |access-date=April 15, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910054347/http://variety.com/2015/film/news/ben-affleck-honored-by-writers-guild-with-valentine-davies-award-1201405183/ |archive-date=September 10, 2016}}</ref> Also that year, he and [[Howard Graham Buffett]] co-wrote an article for ''The Huffington Post'', highlighting the "growing percentage of the food insecure population that is not eligible for federal nutrition programs".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/ben-affleck/map-the-meal-gap-its-time_b_842873.html |title=Hometown Hunger USA |date=March 31, 2011 |work=HuffPost |access-date=October 8, 2014 |first1=Ben |last1=Affleck |first2=Howard Graham |last2=Buffett |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016104348/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ben-affleck/map-the-meal-gap-its-time_b_842873.html |archive-date=October 16, 2014}}</ref> During the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Affleck organized an online celebrity poker tournament to benefit the charity,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ben Affleck and Matt Damon's Poker Tournament Earns $1.75 Million for Coronavirus Relief |url=https://people.com/movies/ben-affleck-and-matt-damons-poker-tournament-earns-1-75-million-for-coronavirus-relief/ |access-date=April 16, 2020 |work=People |language=EN |archive-date=April 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417121858/https://people.com/movies/ben-affleck-and-matt-damons-poker-tournament-earns-1-75-million-for-coronavirus-relief/ |url-status=live }}</ref> made a personal donation and urged others to support the cause.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Malkin |first1=Marc |title=Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively Donate $1 Million to Feeding America and Food Banks Canada |url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/ryan-reynolds-blake-lively-1-million-coronavirus-feeding-america-food-banks-canada-1203536323/ |access-date=March 24, 2020 |work=Variety |date=March 17, 2020 |language=en |archive-date=March 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318232213/https://variety.com/2020/film/news/ryan-reynolds-blake-lively-1-million-coronavirus-feeding-america-food-banks-canada-1203536323/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Affleck is a supporter of the Los Angeles-based homelessness charity [[Midnight Mission]],<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ben Affleck shows support for social services organization |url=https://www.boston.com/culture/celebs/2019/10/27/ben-affleck-shows-support-for-social-services-organization-jokes-about-dating-life |access-date=March 27, 2020 |work=boston.com |archive-date=August 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240821051508/https://www.boston.com/culture/celebs/2019/10/27/ben-affleck-shows-support-for-social-services-organization-jokes-about-dating-life/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Ben Affleck Says Giving Back to Others Is a 'Really Powerful Thing to Do': 'It's Helpful to Me' |url=https://people.com/movies/ben-affleck-giving-back-really-powerful-thing-to-do/ |access-date=March 27, 2020 |work=People |language=en |archive-date=March 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327150517/https://people.com/movies/ben-affleck-giving-back-really-powerful-thing-to-do/ |url-status=live }}</ref> having volunteered at and donated to the charity.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ben Affleck Shares Smiling Photos from Charity Event: 'It Was a Pleasure to Be a Part of This' |url=https://people.com/movies/ben-affleck-smiles-charity-event/ |access-date=March 27, 2020 |work=People |language=en |archive-date=August 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240821051506/https://people.com/movies/ben-affleck-smiles-charity-event/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Affleck |first1=Ben |title=The @midnightmission's meal service lines tripled this past weekend. If you are able to, please join me in donating |url=https://twitter.com/BenAffleck/status/1242865804539858944 |access-date=March 27, 2020 |work=@BenAffleck |date=March 25, 2020 |archive-date=March 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325232327/https://twitter.com/BenAffleck/status/1242865804539858944 |url-status=live }}</ref> He has also volunteered at Atlanta Mission.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ben Affleck |url=https://upload.latest.facebook.com/benaffleck/posts/3524336074307461  | archive-url = http://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/147898965284539/3524336074307461 | archive-date=February 25, 2022 |access-date=March 27, 2020 |work=facebook.com |language=en}}{{Cbignore}}</ref>