Why give Aunt Mabel another cookbook for Christmas, when she could help feed hungry kids in Africa ?  Giving the gift of food, water and shelter for people and animals are just a few of the environmental and humanitarian needs that might give some more meaning to playing Santa this year.

FEED 100 is a program exclusive to Whole Foods.  You buy the stylish organic cotton reusable shopping tote for $25 to give to Mom or your best friend, and part of the proceeds go to preparing 100 meals for Rwandan school children. 

Giving the gift of clean water doesn’t sound so impressive, but it’s a matter of life and death for many people in underdeveloped countries.  Poor sanitation and unclean drinking water cause disease and sickness.  1 out of 4 kids under the age of 5 dies due to water-related diseases.  I found two organizations that are committed to changing that.  The Water Project asks for people to join the effort to help bring safer conditions to thirsty people with money to build wells and water pumps.  And Water Partners International is a U.S. based non-profit which helps build accessible and sustainable water supplies for communities around the world.

And for the animal-lover in your life, buying them a calendar or similar type gift can help organizations feed, shelter and spay or neuter animals.  This Urban Tails calendar is not only made from 100% reycled paper -which saves trees, water and energy - but a portion of the profits goes to help get feral and stray cats off the streets and healthy again.

A word to the wise: Non-profit organizations must show how much of their charitable donations and other income actully go toward the cause and how much is spent on administrative fees, etc.  So it’s always smart to do some research before giving your hard-earned money away - even as a holiday gift.  Happy giving!