Menu for Hope underway today

Last year, I encouraged my readers to participate in Menu for Hope, a blogging fundraiser that raises money for a worthy cause each year. Last year’s effort raised $62,925.12, which was donated to the UN World Food Programme.

Here’s how it works: Food bloggers from around the world donate prizes to the effort. Anyone around the world can buy a raffle ticket (or more than one – there’s no limit on the giving!) for $10 per ticket. You then designate which prize you’re trying to win for each ticket purchased.

This year’s effort starts today and runs through December 21. Once again, the money will go to the UN World Food Programme, but this time the donation will be targeted specifically to the school lunch program in Lesotho, Africa. The goal? To not only help feed children, but by doing so, to keep them in school so they are more likely to be able to make the money they need to feed themselves as adults.

The Lesotho program, as well, not only helps the affected children, but purchases the food for the program from local farmers. If you’ve spent any time reading my blog, you’ll know that’s a cause after my own heart. Feeding kids with local food? That’s a slam-dunk, in my opinion.

I know I’ll be heading over tonight to buy a few tickets, after I get done drooling over the variety of prizes. Last year, the hardest part of participating was choosing what I most wanted to win! I hope you’ll consider participating as well—and, if you’re a blogger who wants to help support the event, head over to Chez Pim to grab a banner or graphic to use on your blog. Together, we can make the fourth year of this event exceed our wildest expectations.