Saturday, April 19, 2014

Feed The Children Of The World

My best friend Vicki told me a few weeks ago that she needed a new tote bag.  Something to carry to work for her lunch, snacks, whatever she needed for the day.  She knows I'm always out and about and since I know what she likes, she asked me to keep my eyes open for something.

I scoured the web in my free time, checking places like Amazon, Overstock.com, and Etsy.  When I was out in the brick-and-mortars, I checked Nordstrom Rack, Ross and Marshalls.  But I didn't find anything i liked.  Until I came across the FEED bag.  

I've seen these bags before in magazines I spent many hours reading.  And after reading the FEED website, I decided it was the one I wanted.  It was created by Lauren Bush - model, designer, activist - in 2006 to benefit the United Nations World Food Programme's School Feeding Program.

I knew immediately this was the bag for Vicki.  Not only does she love to feed people - and the bag says FEED on it - but she's also very passionate about young children and helping them in any way possible.  She's a beacon of sunshine at her daughter's school, where children from all walks of life run up to her in the halls to say hello to a get a hug from "Miss Vicki".  

The purchase of this bag will provide 1 child with school meals for 1 year.  I couldn't not get it.  Hell, we spend more on one meal when we dine out than this bag costs.  The bag, in the original burlap of the bags food rations were distributed in, was the perfect casual accessory for my very low key, very non-flashy friend.

When I started to comb through the website, I saw another bag I wanted to buy, for my cousin who's getting married next month.  I didn't attend the bridal shower (I was at the truck show in Louisville) and hadn't sent a gift yet.  Sure, it's not on her registry, but you don't have to get something on the registry, right?  
Instead, I got this bag, which provides 1 child with micronutrients for 1 year.  And it's a keepsake.  And, my cousin is very "green" and very conscious of how her eating, purchases, and actions affect others, so I knew she'd like that it not only takes care of a child, but it's also made of organic cotton. 


When each bag is purchased, a confirmation screen comes up with these two kids.  How can you not feel good about providing a way for a child to grow, learn and thrive??  Just look at those faces.
Information on the FEED website states, "school feeding is one of the most effective solutions to stopping hunger and empowering children to break out of the poverty cycle they were born into...The food gets kids to attend school, gives them energy they need to learn, and empowers them to better their lives...When boys and girls are given a fee, nutritious meal in school. research has show that attendance and performance greatly increases.  Girls with just a few years of education have fewer children, have them later in life, and are better prepared to care for and education them....and for many children, a school lunch is the only meal they will receive all day, and often take home rations of their school lunch to provide dinner for their families."

Leftovers to feed their families.  My God.  What must that be like?

My friend loved her bag so much when she received it, and her daughter was impressed with the message and meaning the bag represented, that the next thing I bought from the FEED website was for her, this coin purse.  The purchase of the coin purse will provide 20 micronutrient packets to children in Guatemala.  For the price of three lattes.  

There are other items on the website that I loved as well.  T-shirts, bracelets, backpacks, messenger bags, etc.  I think it's a great idea to keep in mind when you want to get someone a unique gift.

I'm very happy to have come across these bags and I'm thrilled that they were so well received.  I'm even happier knowing good comes from their purchase.

Which is more than I can say for most of the things I spend my money on.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2013: Burst Of Power
2012: If This Worked, I’d Become A Cannibal
2011: How I While Away The Hours
2010: Incredibly Average, Yet Heroic If Necessary
2009: May I Take A Message?
2008: Doing The Speed Limit In Your Sleep
2007: Now I Can Go Back To Watching The Show
2006: Ten Of Life’s Simplest Pleasures
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

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