Today at the grocery store a few men were discussing which type of frozen french fries to buy: crinkle cut or straight cut. I couldn't help but think that it's a very Canadian problem to worry about which type of food to eat instead of worrying about if there will be any food to eat. But, it was only a fleeting thought because I knew I was wrong.
There are people all around the world who don't have enough food to eat and Canadians aren't an exception. In Canada, there are people that struggle with poverty.

I recently came across the Facebook page for Canadian Feed The Children (CTFC) and learned something new: CTFC serves many Canadian children healthy meals. I had heard of CTFC and knew that the organisation brings healthy food to many children in several countries. CTFC helps feed children in Bolivia, Ethiopia, Ghana, Haiti and Uganda; I didn't know that the organisation also helps feed vulnerable children in Canada.

Through school and after-school programs, many Canadian children are provided with healthy foods to help meet their nutritional needs. For many families, it is difficult to afford fresh fruit and vegetables to keep on hand. Vegetables trays and fruit are just some of the food that CFTC provides to vulnerable children.

I think it's worth having a look at the CTFC Facebook page because it presents useful information, photographs (like the one above) and stories that will touch your heart.

If you would like help in CTFC's efforts, you can volunteer, send an e-card, make a donation, or buy a children's cookbook. You can find out more by visiting the Canadian Feed The Children website.


Information source: www.canadianfeedthechildren.ca

As a child, I happily carried my little orange UNICEF box as I trick-or-treated my way from house to house on Halloween. I felt good about collecting coin donations in that little box, and bringing the jingling box of coins to school the next day to send off to UNICEF.

As an adult, teachers no longer offer me a chance to carry a tiny orange box around while wearing a clown costume. Instead, I get most of my information on the Web and try to make informed decisions about how I'll contribute to this world. Oh, doesn't thinking sound complicated? It's a good thing I learn things on YouTube sometimes.

Today I came across a new video on Unicef Canada's YouTube channel. In it, Lenny Kravitz speaks in support of UNICEF and of the importance of clean drinking water and sanitation. He mentions that 4,000 children die every day because of unsafe drinking water, unsanitary and unhygienic conditions.

Among its many children's advocacy and charitable efforts, UNICEF, along with governments and partners has helped drill wells, install water pumps and build latrines. Improved water conditions have helped over 2 billion people and improved sanition has helped over 1.8 billion people. UNICEF has educated children and mothers about hygiene, and has provided many people sanitation and clean water in emergency situations. However, many people are left without access to clean water and proper sanitation. The good news is that we can help through UNICEF. For more information, visit unicef.ca.

Information source: unicef.ca.

Well, hello again. Another Sunday night, another post from me to you. I'm amazed at the reach of this new blog. I sit here on a tiny speck of the globe in Canada, writing about kindness, and many of you lovely readers are from across the globe. A good percentage of you are from Europe, and it brings me back to my thoughts on the incredible social connecting power of the Web. There are so many voices to be heard from all over the world.

The Web has provided me many opportunities to connect with, listen, watch and understand people that I probably would not have met in a different scenario. So, I'd like to make a suggestion: pay attention. Many of us love social media websites (you're reading a blog, aren't you?). So, while we're having fun looking at photographs of our friend's latest island vacation, let's make note of what's really going on in people's lives, what they care about, what they're concerned about and what we can do to make others and ourselves happier. Before you rule out this idea, keep in mind that you don't have to give up posting funny internet memes or playing games on your favourite social media website.

So, are you in?