Shop Against Hunger is a sight with links to a TON of different online retailers. By shopping on Shop Against Hunger, you can fill "red cups," a different number being filled depending on the retailer and how much you spend. "The red cup symbolizes WFP’s efforts to provide school meals to children around the world who often don’t get food anywhere else. If you keep in mind that one cup represents a nutritious meal of beans or porridge for a child, you will quickly see what a difference you are making through the Shop Against Hunger!" According to their FAQ's, "The Shop Against Hunger is a one-stop site with all your favorite online stores and lots of amazing deals. It’s a quick and easy way to do all of your holiday shopping and make a difference in the fight against hunger at the same time!" and "With every purchase you make through the Shop Against Hunger, a donation will be made to the World Food Programme, at no extra cost to you!" "The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. WFP is on the ground in 74 countries feeding men, women, and children through emergency food relief, school meals programs, mother-child nutrition centers, and many other programs. Every donation, every cent is critical because the WFP relies solely on voluntary contributions."
According to the TOMS Shoes website, "TOMS Shoes was founded on a simple premise: With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One. Using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good is what we're all about." And that's just what it does. For every pair of TOMS Shoes you buy (and now some other stuff, too) TOMS donates one pair of shoes to a child in need (maybe in Ethiopia). Think about it! In addition to getting a good feeling for helping a child who's family cannot buy them shoes, you also get an awesome pair of shoes (and with Christmas coming up, they make great gifts). But why shoes? According to TOMS Our Movement page, "Most children in developing countries grow up barefoot. Whether at play, doing chores or just getting around, these children are at risk.
Walking is often the primary mode of transportation in developing countries. Children can walk for miles to get food, water, shelter and medical help. Wearing shoes literally enables them to walk distances that aren't possible barefoot.
Wearing shoes prevents feet from getting cuts and sores on unsafe roads and from contaminated soil. Not only are these injuries painful, they also are dangerous when wounds become infected. The leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted parasites which penetrate the skin through open sores. Wearing shoes can prevent this and the risk of amputation.
Many times children can't attend school barefoot because shoes are a required part of their uniform. If they don't have shoes, they don't go to school. If they don't receive an education, they don't have the opportunity to realize their potential.
There is one simple solution...SHOES.
Of the planet's six billion people, four billion live in conditions inconceivable to many. Lets take a step towards a better tomorrow."
