Knoxville, Tennessee (CNN) - Helen Ashe experienced many hardships growing up in Abbeville, South Carolina, during the 1930s and '40s. Her family's first house had no lights or running water.
But even during tough times, she and her twin sister, Ellen, were taught to be selfless.
"My daddy taught us not to take the last piece of bread from the table; somebody may come by that's hungry," Ashe remembered.
Since 1986, Ashe has been leaving a whole lot more than bread on the table.
As the founder of the Love Kitchen in Knoxville, Tennessee, she has helped serve more than 1 million free meals to those in need.
Aided by her sister and a team of volunteers, Ashe serves those whom she calls the five Hs: the hungry, the homeless, the helpless, the hopeless and the homebound.
This morning on American Morning, CNN's Christine Romans broke down exactly how much money the U.S. takes in every month, as well as how much money we spend and where.
This Saturday in the early primary state of South Carolina, Texas Governor Rick Perry is expected to announce that he will be entering the race for the 2012 GOP nomination.
According to our CNN/ORC poll, Perry is currently two points behind the GOP front runner Mitt Romney.
James Moore, a Texas-based former TV news correspondent and co-author of the book, "Bush's Brain," says Rick Perry is likely to dominate the Republican campaign for president and is the odds-on favorite to win the White House in 2012.
Moore joins Carol Costello today on American Morning to explain why he thinks that Perry will take the Republican nomination and to discuss where he stands on major political issues.
Most people wouldn't initially believe that a Rhodesian Ridgeback dog and a piglet could be friends. However, in her new book, "Unlikely Friendships," author Jennifer Holland proves that even the most opposite animal species can sometimes form strong bonds.
Holland's new book showcases fascinating stories and pictures of different animal species that have come together to form human-like friendships.
She joins the anchors of American Morning today to recount the unique stories of these animal bonds and to explain what inspired her to write her book.
Amid this week of financial turmoil in the United States, we have seen evidence of the growth and strength of China's economy. The country's first aircraft carrier began sea trials on Wednesday, and reports have been circulating that Chinese banks have signed leases on New York City landmark buildings such as the Empire State Building and One World Trade Center, the new skyscraper under construction at Ground Zero.
So, is China on the path to becoming the world's next superpower? Gordon Chang, columnist for Forbes.com, doesn't think so.
Chang talks with Christine Romans on American Morning today about why he thinks China's economy may actually be on the decline.
The Ames Straw Poll, arguably the first major vote of the 2012 presidential campaign, is set to happen this Saturday. The poll is not binding, but three out of five times the winner has gone on to win the Iowa caucus and the nomination.
As a lead up to the event, last night, Republican presidential candidates squared off at a debate sponsored by Fox News and The Washington Examiner and held in an arena at Iowa State University.
Today on American Morning, Al Diguido, CEO of ZETA Interactive, and Ann Selzer, independent pollster and owner of Selzer & Company, join Carol Costello to weigh in on who made a strong showing at last night's debate and who is the front runner heading into this weekend's straw poll.