It’s no secret that the current state of our economy is cause for concern. While we scramble to cut back on luxuries and re-work budgets, it’s important to keep in mind that we aren’t the only ones being hit hard by harsh financial realities. As global food prices continue to soar, people all over the world are finding it more difficult to feed their families ““ particularly in developing countries. Now, more than ever, it’s important to get involved and make a difference. Here’s what you can do to help.

No money? No problem!

Freerice.com
Between 2007 and 2008, the trading price of rice rose 70 percent, making it an expensive staple for families living in poverty. Enter Free Rice ““ a free, online game that takes trivia to a whole new level. Test your knowledge in a variety of subjects and for each correct response, the site will donate 20 grains of rice through the UN World Food Program. It’s fun for a great cause!

thehungersite.com
With the help of several sponsors, The Hunger Site donates 1 cup of food for every click of its big yellow button. According to the site, more than 300 million cups of staple foods have been donated to 74 countries worldwide since its launch in 1999. Add this one to your bookmarks and visit daily — you have 365 chances to make a difference!

CARE Canada MasterCard
Thanks to a partnership between MasterCard and CARE Canada — an organization that works to provide aid in nearly 70 countries worldwide — you can contribute to global development and emergency relief initiatives. For each retail purchase that you make, MBNA Canada will make a contribution to CARE Canada, at no cost to you!

Small donations = Big changes

Oxfamunwrapped.ca
Looking for a truly unique gift this holiday season? Team up with Oxfam Canada to give a gift that keeps on giving. For a donation of $15, you can purchase a chicken on behalf of a loved one that will be sent to a family in the developing world, providing them with income, educational opportunities and a chance to be more self-sustaining.

Chf-partners.ca/giftsthatmatter
With a catalogue of gifts that includes everything from clean water and livestock to seeds and fertilizer, it’s easy to make a meaningful donation that will change people’s lives. Involving little ones in the decision-making process will help them to learn about the importance of helping others.

Kiva.org
This person-to-person micro-lending website works to connect individuals for the purpose of alleviating poverty in the developing world. For as little as $25, you can help an entrepreneur of your choice to build a better life and achieve greater economic independence. And when your loan money is returned, you can help someone else!

Act locally ““ Think globally

According to the David Suzuki Foundation, Canadians eat more than twice as much meat as the global average. Most of the world’s water supply is already being used for agricultural purposes, but meat production and processing uses far more water than any other food source. Raising livestock also requires large amounts of land, which could be better used to produce vegetables, fruits and grains. While giving up meat all together may not be a feasible option for your family, something as simple as eating meat-free meals once a week can make a huge difference in the long run. It’s also a great opportunity to introduce kids to new foods and flavours!

For a nutshell guide to the global food crisis, see p.69 of the Winter 2009 issue of Canadian Family ““ available now!