When the U.S. economy is in a serious downturn, it is easy for us to forget that we are still very blessed. Most of us have roofs over our head, food on the table, and clothing on our backs. While many of our fellow citizens may be struggling, there are people in this world who do more than struggle, even when the world economy is booming. There are people who live in what U2 frontman Bono calls “ridiculous poverty,” subsisting on a dollar a day or less.
Last year I was privileged to take part in the online charitable event known as Menu For Hope. Working with other wine and food bloggers, we raised about $91,000 to assist the United Nations World Food Programme. Our $91,000 went directly to a program for school children in the small African country of Lesotho. For a child living in poverty, getting an education is difficult. It’s even harder when the child has an empty stomach.
This year, Menu For Hope V will again raise money for the program in Lesotho. I’m very proud to be a participant, and I hope you will do all that you can by bidding on one or more of the amazing prizes being offered.
What I have to offer this year is a wine seminar. Yes, you get me to put together a 90-minute (or so) wine seminar on the topic(s) of your choice. We agree upon a date and time, and I come to you live via streaming video over the Internet. You’ll be able to ask questions via a chat feature, and we can even record it and let you watch it over and over again. You can invite as many friends as you want to your place, or they can watch from the comfort of their own homes. The sky is the limit!
Sound interesting? If so, here’s what you need to do.
You can see the master list of prizes and descriptions at Chez Pim. Each prize has a code, such as WB20 (which is the code for my prize).
Find the prize(s) you want to bid on and then go to the donation site: http://www.firstgiving.com/menuforhope5. There, you will donate $10 for one raffle ticket.
Here’s the important part, so pay attention!
In the “Personal Message” section, you need to specify which prize(s) you are bidding on. You need to write in how many tickets you’re bidding for that prize, and give the prize code. You can bid on more than one prize and divide up your tickets as you wish. For example, you could donate $50 and split it among three prizes: 2xEU01, 1xEU02, 2xWB20.
You need to put that “tickets times prize code” in the message section or we’ll have no idea what you were bidding on.
Also, be sure to make certain that First Giving can “see your email address” so we know how to contact you if you win. The email address will not be shared with anyone.
Thank you for your generosity. Together, we can help feed children, provide the education they need to become self-sustaining, and rest well at night knowing we have helped improve a small corner of the world.