Image Name: BSesameStreet_Lily.jpg
New Muppet character Lily, whose family has an ongoing struggle with hunger, discusses the importance of helping others in need as part of Sesame Street’s primetime television special entitled Growing Hope Against Hunger. © 2011 Sesame Workshop. Sesame Workshop

Sesame Street is getting a new muppet friend to help kids learn about hunger.

Lily, who has experienced food insecurity in her family, will be featured in a one-hour special called Growing Hope Against Hunger to raise awareness about hunger in the U.S.

Sesame Workshop has always been at the forefront of creating resources for families with young children to help address some of life's most difficult issues, Sesame Workshop Chief Operating Officer H. Melvin Ming said in a statement. Growing Hope Against Hunger is Sesame Workshop's contribution to all those who face the invisible crisis in the United States that is food insecurity.

Lily is 7 years old. She is bright pink with reddish-orange hair and wears an orange and blue outfit.

She's a wonderful muppet, Dr. Jeanette Betancourt of the Sesame Workshop told IB Times.

Lily's mannerisms are like those of anyone sharing this kind of story, Betancourt said. Lily is very passionate about the topic of hunger but she also talks about it in a careful and delicate way.

Lily is very excited about showing her Sesame Street pals how to help out, Betancourt said. She also likes to sing and will sing on the show.

The special will air on Oct. 9.

There will also be a Spanish-language version on Univision on Oct. 22 and another one on Telefutura on Oct. 23.