Tuesday, January 11, 2011

52 Weeks of Giving - Week 1 (The Hunger Site)

Last week, I participated in the No Impact Week Experiment.  One of the days focused on ways to give back to the community.  As I was reflecting on the ways that I have and am currently volunteering, I was interested in seeing how my volunteering had shifted from being more community-focused to more family-focused. 

During 2011, I expect that my family responsibilities/caregiving will continue and/or increase.  However, I would also like to step up my effort in giving back to the community - whether it is by offering my time, talents, or resources. 

Giving back doesn’t have to be on a large scale. And doesn’t have to be about money.

Oftentimes charities, organizations, and foundations need support beyond donations. And that’s what I’m going to try to focus on.

I will be sharing what the girls and I will be doing each week.  Perhaps you, too, will be inspired to give back.  If you do, please comment below to share what you are doing.

Together we can make a difference.

***

52 Weeks of Giving: Week 1

During the first week in January, Sophia, Olivia, and I visited The Hunger Site multiple times and pressed a button which resulted in a donation of food to someone in need.

Sophia clicking on one of the Hunger Site's buttons

The Hunger Site which was founded to focus the power of the Internet on a specific humanitarian need: the eradication of world hunger. Since its launch in June 1999, the site has established itself as a leader in online activism, helping to feed the world's hungry.

On average, over 220,000 individuals from around the world visit the site each day to click the yellow "Click Here to Give - it's FREE" button. To date, more than 300 million visitors have given more than 671 million cups of staple food.  To do this, click HERE.

The staple food funded by clicks at The Hunger Site is paid for by site sponsors and distributed to those in need by Mercy Corps, Feeding America (formerly America's Second Harvest), and Millennium Promise. 100% of sponsor advertising fees goes to the charitable partners. Funds are split between these organizations and go to the aid of hungry people in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and North America.

This is such a wonderful, simple – and free – way to help others who are hungry. 

While you're at the site, there are tabs at the top for additional (free) way to give. By simply clicking on a button, you can help provide:

- Mammograms to low-income women;

- Healthcare for children in need.

- Free books to children in need.

- Awareness and prevention of deforestation; and help preserve rainforest land.

- Funding for food and care is paid by site sponsors and distributed to animals in need by The Fund for Animals, the Petfinder Foundation, North Shore Animal League America, International Fund for Animal Welfare, and other worthy animal rescue organizations supported by the GreaterGood.org foundation.

3 comments:

Audrey said...

Great article Ann!
With the employment changes we've faced in the last 2 years, we have had to downsize a number of things but giving of our time and talents was not one of them. It is very rewarding to know that we help better our community through our volunteer efforts at church, school, scouts and our local soup kitchen. I think it has benefitted our young son greatly to be a part of these efforts as well.
Thank you for the reminder about the click bank for food, etc. too. I try to go there often.

Audrey
aka AudreyGardenLady

Anonymous said...

I visited and clicked! I started off in 2011 by committing to donate art and jewelry to a silent auction held at our neighborhood arts & community center in Portland, ME. The website for it is:

http://www.mayostreetarts.org

Will love to follow all your ways of giving!

Brandy said...

I love the idea of this! We may have to incorporate it into our own family life. mamatoallie on swapbot