Chrissy Teigen honored at Baby2Baby gala

Chrissy Teigen said felt honored to receive an award at the Baby2Baby Gala, but her acceptance speech wasn't all about her achievement: "No kid should go hungry. No kid should not go without the basics in their home."

Teigen — a model, television host and cookbook author — accepted the Giving Tree Award on Saturday night in Culver City, California. Her husband, singer John Legend, presented her with the award symbolizing her commitment to children in need.

"I feel honored to be honored," Teigen said.

John Legend, right, and Chrissy Teigen arrive at the 2019 Baby2Baby Gala on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Culver City, Calif. (Photo by Jordan StraussInvisionAP)

Legend praised Teigen for being an advocate for children through Baby2Baby. The nonprofit organization looks for high-profile celebs to highlight their mission of helping provide basic necessities to children living in poverty.

Ellen DeGeneres, Kenan Thompson and Andy Cohen congratulated Teigen in a video message.

Teigen said she and Legend have tried to instill the importance of giving to the less fortunate in their young children, Luna and Miles.

Chrissy Teigen arrives at the 2019 Baby2Baby Gala on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Culver City, Calif. (Photo by Jordan StraussInvisionAP)

"Luna is no stranger to packing up all of her toys and sending them off, and knowing that people are going to open them and love them more and be so excited by them," she said.

Saturday's event celebrated the organization and raised funds for children living in poverty. Attendees included singer Katy Perry and former basketball player Kobe Bryant, among the celebrities who donated thousands of dollars toward the cause. Actresses Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Garner also attended.

Actress Nicole Richie and comedian Ali Wong encouraged attendees to "whip out" their phones to donate to the charity through an electronic system.

Olivia Munn arrives at the 2019 Baby2Baby Gala on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Culver City, Calif. (Photo by Jordan StraussInvisionAP)

"Let's make it rain," Wong told the crowd, before yelling "Slam dunk!" to announce Kobe and Vanessa Bryant's $50,000 donation.

For nearly a decade, Baby2Baby has distributed more than 70 million items to children in homeless shelters, domestic violence programs and foster care, as well as to other children who have lost everything in the wake of disaster.

Paula Abdul closed the event by performing a few of her popular songs including "Cold Hearted" and "Opposites Attract."

Vanessa Laine Bryant, left, and Kobe Bryant arrive at the 2019 Baby2Baby Gala on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Culver City, Calif. (Photo by Jordan StraussInvisionAP)

Past honorees include Garner, Paltrow, Drew Barrymore, Kate Hudson, Kerry Washington and Jessica Alba.

At the start of the event, a video highlighted the ongoing homeless problem in Los Angeles. It featured a single mother and her two young daughters living in an old mobile home.

"In Los Angeles, you can be living good," Teigen said. "But then five miles away, it's a different story. People in those areas need help."

Jessica Alba arrives at the 2019 Baby2Baby Gala on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Culver City, Calif. (Photo by Jordan StraussInvisionAP)

Chrissy Teigen arrives at the 2019 Baby2Baby Gala on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Culver City, Calif. (Photo by Jordan StraussInvisionAP)

Olivia Munn arrives at the 2019 Baby2Baby Gala on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Culver City, Calif. (Photo by Jordan StraussInvisionAP)

Jennifer Garner arrives at the 2019 Baby2Baby Gala on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Culver City, Calif. (Photo by Jordan StraussInvisionAP)

Mindy Kaling arrives at the 2019 Baby2Baby Gala on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Culver City, Calif. (Photo by Jordan StraussInvisionAP)

Paula Abdul arrives at the 2019 Baby2Baby Gala on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Culver City, Calif. (Photo by Jordan StraussInvisionAP)

Kirsten Dunst arrives at the 2019 Baby2Baby Gala on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Culver City, Calif. (Photo by Jordan StraussInvisionAP)

Jennifer Garner arrives at the 2019 Baby2Baby Gala on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Culver City, Calif. (Photo by Jordan StraussInvisionAP)

Kate Hudson and Danny Fujikawa arrive at the 2019 Baby2Baby Gala on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Culver City, Calif. (Photo by Jordan StraussInvisionAP)

Vanessa Laine Bryant, left, and Kobe Bryant arrive at the 2019 Baby2Baby Gala on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Culver City, Calif. (Photo by Jordan StraussInvisionAP)

Cash Warren, left, and Jessica Alba arrive at the 2019 Baby2Baby Gala on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Culver City, Calif. (Photo by Jordan StraussInvisionAP)

Kate Hudson arrives at the 2019 Baby2Baby Gala on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Culver City, Calif. (Photo by Jordan StraussInvisionAP)

Nicole Richie arrives at the 2019 Baby2Baby Gala on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Culver City, Calif. (Photo by Jordan StraussInvisionAP)

Nicole Richie arrives at the 2019 Baby2Baby Gala on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Culver City, Calif. (Photo by Jordan StraussInvisionAP)

Kate Hudson arrives at the 2019 Baby2Baby Gala on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Culver City, Calif. (Photo by Jordan StraussInvisionAP)