IFR Prizes: Menu For Hope 2007

It's that time of the year when everyone goes nuts trying to lay their hands on those 4 GPS systems that were marked down from $500 to $199. Or looking for that ever elusive Wii. When we stand in never-ending lines or in short lines that never move because everyone ahead of you bought out the store. We've been trying to tell Medha that she should think about those children in this world that are not as lucky as her. For whom, gifts at Christmas are an aberration because they don't have enough clothing or food to sustain them through their day. She feels deeply for those children but she is a child herself, and so she swings back to wanting one last thing from Santa this year. A toothfairy hangover perhaps. We want it to be her decision and I am hoping she will make the right one. If she does, we will donate the money to a worthy cause. And I figured what better cause than Menu for Hope 2007, an annual fundraising hosted by Pim Techamuanvivit, on her food blog Chez Pim.

Five years ago, the devastating tsunami in Southeast Asia inspired me to find a way to help, and the very first Menu for Hope was born. The campaign has since become a yearly affair, raising funds to support worthy causes worldwide. In 2006, Menu for Hope raised US$62,925.12 to help the UN World Food Programme feed the hungry.

This year, Indian Food Rocks joins Menu for Hope to raise money that will be go directly to the UN World Food Programme. This year the funds raised by Menu for Hope will be earmarked for a school lunch program in Lesotho, Africa.

The campaign will run from December 10-21.

Indian Food Rocks is happy to present two prizes to help raise money for this effort. A donation of $10 entitles you to a raffle ticket to a prize.

Prize Code UC 12
Grains, Greens, and Grated Coconuts, Recipes and Remembrances of a Vegetarian Legacy by Ammini Ramachandran

Readers of my blog need no introduction to Grains, Greens, and Grated Coconuts. It is the perfect cookbook to curl up with and experience vegetarian Kerala cooking from India at its best. It is a cookbook that I turn to several times a week for simple and tasteful vegetarian recipes. Ammini writes with a lot of passion and attention to detail. Most recipes are accompanied by a snippet of history or a personal anecdote. An autographed copy of this cookbook has been generously donated by the author, Ammini Ramachandran.

This prize can be shipped only within the continental USA.

Prize Code UC 13

Handmade Bead Necklace and Matching Earrings
I made this beautiful necklace and matching earring at a local bead shop last weekend. I carefully chose each bead and this is a one of a kind necklace and matching earrings will stand out at any black dress party.

This prize can be shipped only within the continental USA.

Here are some more pictures of the necklace and earrings. Click through to see the larger image.

Menu for Hope is now live!

Here's how you can make a difference:

1. Choose a prize or prizes of your choice from our Menu for Hope at Chez Pim. Note the prize code(s).
2. Go to the donation site at First Giving and make a donation. Remember that this money goes directly to the UN's WFP without going through any of the bloggers promoting this event.
3. Please specify the prize code(s) for the prizes you would like in the Personal Message section in the donation form. You must specify how many tickets per prize, and use the prize code. Each $10 you donate will buy one raffle ticket toward any prize.For example, a donation of $50 can be 2 tickets for EU01 and 3 tickets for EU02. Please write 2xEU01, 3xEU02.
4. If your company matches your charity donation, please check the box and fill in the information so we could claim the corporate match.
5. Please check the box to allow us to see your email address so that we could contact you in case you win.Your email address will not be shared with anyone.
6. Check back on Chez Pim on Wednesday Jaunary 9 for the results of the raffle.

A special thank you to Kalyn of Kalyn's Kitchen for being the gracious host for US Central.

Before you make your contribution, I would ask you to spend some time on some really moving images captured by the children of Lesotho that are now available on Pim's blog.