Giveaway: FEED The Children of the World
Some of my friends from college have been doing amazing things with their lives. My sorority sister Ellen Gustafson, however, takes the cake! As co-Founder and Executive Vice President of FEED Projects, Ellen is one of the few people I know who’s making a genuine, long-lasting difference in the world. If you’ve been to Whole Foods, Harrods or Ralph Lauren Rugby recently, you’ve probably seen Ellen’s handiwork: the stylish, organic cotton and burlap, eco-conscious FEED bags and totes that Ellen developed with Lauren Bush to feed children in 74 developing countries. The purchase of just one FEED 2 bag will feed 2 children for a school year; the FEED 100 bag, meanwhile, provides 100 meals for schoolchildren in Rwanda.
You’re probably like me; you want to help and give back to society, but your day-to-day life and problems get in the way and distract you. Supporting FEED is a step toward helping another human that, for whatever reason, didn’t hit the birth lottery. Spend a few minutes learning more about FEED Projects here. Please answer in the comments section below with a fact or tidbit you’ve learned from the FEED website and I’ll send one lucky US winner a beauty basket personally filled with my favorite products! (The contest is open until Saturday; good luck!)
Mark your calendars, meanwhile, for Thursday March 12th from 6-8:30pm, when FEED launches at Fred Segal Trend in Santa Monica. RSVP to rsvp@feedprojects.org, and I’ll see you there!
Tags: Ellen Gustafson, FEED, Lauren Bush, Whole Foods
March 4th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
77 million children in the world don’t attend school, and 60% of those children are girls.
This is a fantastic way to raise awareness, so thank you for posting this!
March 4th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
by being given one nutritious meal a day, school attendance increases by 100%!
I’ve been following the FEED cause ever since Lauren launched the first bag in 2006. I remember it was a small picture in a magazine and Ive been obsessed ever since!!!!
March 4th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
very cool project. I work for an organization that works locally to get more locally grown, fresh fruits & vegetables into school lunches, so my favorite tidbit was “School feeding is one of the most effective solutions to stopping hunger and breaking the poverty cycle.”
March 4th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Almost 400 million children around the world go to bed hungry every night. In fact, every five seconds a child dies because he or she is hungry.
That’s quite a tidbit. I just finished a Snickers bar and kids are going hungry. It’s amazing how we all lose sight of the big picture. I give to lots of charities when I can and this is one that I’m definitely adding to my list.
March 4th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
“50 million hungry children are not receiving any form of food aid.” I actually find that fact really embarrassing. I was watching “The Biggest Loser” last night and their challenge involved bagging groceries at a food bank and filling up a truck. They packed 150 boxes into a truck which helped feed 1200 families! I mean, it seems that since it takes so little to do something so important that we would be able to find a way to fix this problem. I am so glad that you keep highlighting such great causes.
March 4th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
I didn’t know that the UN WFP gives food to schools, as a way to incentivize attendance.
I work on women’s health and human rights myself, and I learned something useful. Thanks!
March 4th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
I am so glad that in addition to feeding the children of the world, that the material of the bags are eco-friendly and 100% organic!
GREAT ORGANIZATION!
March 4th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
I have been following the FEED mission since its inception, and I am so happy to see that it is only growing and expanding as time goes on.
“When boys and girls are given a free, nutritious meal in school, research has shown that attendance increases by 100% and performance improves greatly.”
March 4th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
Thanks so much for telling us about FEED! I’m going to make a donation
March 4th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
Hunger & malnutrition kill more people than AIDS, malaria, & TB combined.
That is just a startling fact & I applaud FEED in helping to combat this immense problem for these beautiful children.
March 4th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
Every five seconds a child dies because he or she is hungry.
This is such a cool project!
March 4th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
When boys and girls are given a free, nutritious meal in school, research has shown that attendance increases by 100% and performance improves greatly.
That’s a pretty compelling statistic!!
March 4th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
This is so inspiring!! Thank you for bringing our attention to this amazing project.
“In 74 countries, the UN World Food Program (WFP) offers a nutrient-packed meal to children in school. This food gets kids to school, who might not attend otherwise…”
March 4th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
every 5 seconds a child dies from hunger thanks for the information and the giveaway
March 4th, 2009 at 7:58 pm
“50 million hungry children are not receiving any form of food aid.”
Thats just not fair! Children shouldn’t be starving anywhere.
March 4th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
I was shocked to find that every five seconds a child dies because he or she is hungry. It really broke my heart and inspired to do my part.
March 4th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
I learned who the FEED friends and partners are:
Whole Foods Market, especially Julie Droege-Thorpe
Harrods and El Corte Ingles
Amazon.com
Colette, Lileo, C.O. Bigelow, David Jones, Vivre, TOMS Shoes, ABC Carpet and Home, Yoya, Joni’s, HB Provisions
Michelle Street at Pilot Air Freight
Paul Maier and the Team at Dickstein Schapiro, LLP
HL Group
David Lauren, Charles Fagan, and Addi Hou at Polo RL and the team at Rugby Ralph Lauren
Daniel Stanco, Lynne Nissen, and the entire Clifford Chance US LLP team
Tom Greenhaw and Randy Cochran at Nova Libra
David Black, CPA
Brian Ponto
Greg Barber at Greg Barber Environmental Printing Co.
All our friends at Mercy Corps and the Action Center to End Hunger, especially Marni Fechter
Tom Voute
March 4th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
Thank you for drawing attention to the fact that education is critical for all of the world’s children, especially girls. More educated girls give birth later in life, have fewer (and healthier) children on average, and are better prepared to be both mothers and contributing members of the household unit.
What a great project, and the bags are a great way to be enviro-friendly-chic) as well as supporting a worthy cause.
March 4th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
I know a few other people picked this fact:
“Almost 400 million children around the world go to bed hungry every night”…and as a mom, my heart cried when I read this. thank you for bringing this amazing organization to our attention- what a great giveaway and a great chance for us all to make a difference.
March 4th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
The WFP reaches up to 74 countries.
March 4th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
Wow, almost 400 million children around the world go to bed hungry every night! That’s disturbing. I can’t wait to go buy a bag. Thanks for sharing this.
March 5th, 2009 at 6:38 am
Girls with just a few years of education have fewer children, have them later in life, and are better prepared to care for and educate them.
As a mother of three girls, this was very interesting to me.
March 5th, 2009 at 6:45 am
I’ve bookmarked the site, and will return to peruse it further. Thanks for raising awareness about such a worthwhile endeavor. I am saddened to learn every five seconds a child dies because he or she is hungry. And to think, here I sit, trying to decide if I want lasagna or shrimp scampi for dinner tonight. I am humbled…
sharonanne56[at]yahoo[dot]com
March 5th, 2009 at 7:22 am
This fact broke my heart! “Almost 400 million children around the world go to bed hungry every night. In fact, every five seconds a child dies because he or she is hungry.”
Making a donation now.
March 5th, 2009 at 7:22 am
This fact broke my heart! “Almost 400 million children around the world go to bed hungry every night. In fact, every five seconds a child dies because he or she is hungry.”
Making a donation now.
March 5th, 2009 at 7:43 am
This is such an amazing cause.
While it’s already been mentioned in the comments, when boys and girls are given a good free meal, their school attendance increases by 100%. It’s just such an amazing statistic since not only are they healthier thanks to these donations, but they’re better able to go to school and thus gain skills in order to make a better life for themselves in the future. Hopefully this helps break the cycle of childhood hunger.
I’m a poor university student, but there’s no way I can’t help out and not make a donation right now.
March 5th, 2009 at 8:24 am
They work with certified fair labor facilities, which adds another area of accountability/a spotlight on a responsible approach to employing, feeding, sustaining, multiplying, etc.
Thank you, Jolie. I hadn’t heard about FEED until reading your feature.
Terri
March 5th, 2009 at 8:42 am
If a need as basic for survival as having food isn’t met,we cannot expect any child to be able to learn anything. And since education is one of the key factors for breaking out of the poverty cycle,it becomes a never-ending cycle of hunger and despair. I think the FEED project and U.N. WFP have it right,provide basic nutrition to give so many children a chance at life.
March 5th, 2009 at 9:21 am
I learned that when boys and girls are given a free, nutritious meal in school, research has shown that attendance increases by 100% and performance improves greatly.
March 5th, 2009 at 10:59 am
I did not realize how big of an impact food programs could have on a child’s life and long-term outlook (besides preventing starvation of course). It is so important that all children, especially girls are educated and it seems like this program is a great way to ensure more girls get themselves educated.
March 5th, 2009 at 11:03 am
I have read about FEED in several magazines but had no idea that it has been around since 2006. That is great that it continues to grow-too often initiatives fade away after the initial launch and press. I had no idea there were more bags than just their “1″ bag. Thanks for the nudge to learn more!
March 5th, 2009 at 11:31 am
I learned that FEED’s projects started in 2006 when Lauren Bush designed a bag to benefit the program.
Thanks for the giveaway.
kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com
March 5th, 2009 at 11:34 am
I learned that “School feeding is one of the most effective solutions to stopping hunger and breaking the poverty cycle.” That makes a lot of sense, since feeding the kids at school gets them to school, which helps them get an education which helps them rise out of poverty. It also ensures that the kids actually get the food…I’m only saying that because not long ago I learned about a culture that feeds the father and first-born son first, then other sons, then the mothers and girl children get what’s left, if anything.
March 5th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
Thanks for raising awareness as I’ve never heard of this organization. I’m sending the link to some of my friends and family who may be able to donate.
“School feeding is one of the most effective solutions to stopping hunger and breaking the poverty cycle.”
March 5th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Sixty per cent of the 77 million children around the world not attending school are girls.
March 5th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
This is so awesome; I love Whole Foods and buying eco-friendly products.
150 million children drop out of school before receiving a primary education.
March 5th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
Sometimes we forget just how fortunate we are. I learned that when boys and girls are given a free, nutritious meal in school, research has shown that attendance increases by 100% and performance improves greatly.
March 5th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
I’ve never thought about the relationship between school and hunger.
“School feeding is one of the most effective solutions to stopping hunger and breaking the poverty cycle.”
Free lunches at school are beneficial for the children’s hunger but also serve as motivation to come to school! FEED is an amazing organization!
March 5th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
that is so awesome that the UN World Food Program gives children food in order for them to go to school. and it is incredible that by the end of 2007, Feed Projects raised enough money to feed over 37,500 children! just by selling bags!
what a great organization and idea.
March 5th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
Hunger and malnutrition kill more people than AIDS, malaria, and TB combined.
This is a startling fact.
March 6th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
One of those FEED bags can feed a child for a year.
I’ve always wondered why these reusable bags are so expensive when it’s really just a burlap bag, but with FEED, I know that it’s coming form fair labor factories and it’s going to feed a little kid for a year.
That’s amazing.
March 6th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
In 74 countries, the UN World Food Program offers a nutrient-packed meal to children in school. This food gets kids to school, who might not attend otherwise, and gives them the energy to learn and empowers them to better their lives!
March 6th, 2009 at 9:43 pm
I think the objectives of selling FEED (educate the world’s 400 million hungry children) is very noble. Everyone should support it.
March 7th, 2009 at 9:02 am
There are still over 77 million children not attending school (60% of which are girls)
Most Americans don’t think about children not attending school, because it’s a given here. However it’s incredibly sad to think that so many children are unable to receive a basic education that will do so much for their lives.
March 7th, 2009 at 11:42 am
This one stood out to me so much. “In fact, every five seconds a child dies because he or she is hungry.” It makes me want to rush out and buy every FEED bag I see. It’s just such a terrible thought.
March 7th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
how fantastic that they can both feed children and help keep them in school - an excellent project! kudos to you for letting us know about it!
March 7th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
Excellent plug! I got one of these bags for christmas and the bag itself is awesome and holds so many groceries! Turns out it was designed by Lauren Bush.
March 8th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
The nutrient rich food that they provide to children at school gets the children to school who might not have gone in the first place. Cool.
March 10th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
i didn’t know that feed bags were made of organic cotton. i always loved the concept of feed but after reading the site i love it even more.
i can’t make it to the launch, but i will check out feed at fred segal for sure!
March 13th, 2009 at 10:03 am
it breaks my heart to learn that every 5 seconds a child dies because they are hungry. next time i go to whole foods i will check out the products this project supports more thoroughly. thanks for bringing it to your reader’s attention!