We all need to eat, what and how much we consume depends upon many factors. This common need makes food an ideal gift for any occasion.

There are a number of ways that you can give the gift of food, you can give food or money to an organization that is helping to feed those who are unable to purchase enough food to feed themselves.

For example, in the Canadian province of Ontario, you can have a powerful impact on the lives of hungry Ontarians by the simple act of giving. If you can share a few dollars, a few hours, or a few of your available resources, your gift will go a long way.

Today, there are food banks in cities all across North Amercia. In Canada you can find more information here. If you live in the United States you may find a food bank near you, here.

There is also a way to give a small bit of food to those who need with a click of your mouse. This is something you can do each day as you sit down at your computer.

The staple food funded by clicks at The Hunger Site is paid for by site sponsors and distributed to those in need by Mercy Corps and America's Second Harvest. 100% of sponsor advertising fees goes to our charitable partners. Funds are split between these organizations and go to the aid of hungry people in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and North America.

On the International scene you can make a donation to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international humanitarian aid organisation that provides emergency medical assistance to populations in danger in more than 70 countries.

Food is Not Enough, MSF's new malnutrition campaign is advocating for a global scale-up of therapeutic ready-to-use food (RUF) for the most at risk children and further efforts to use supplemental RUF to prevent children from becoming dangerously malnourished in the first place. MSF is also highlighting the need for increased research and development into a range of therapeutic products.

You can always make the donation in the name of a family member or friend and give them a card that lest them know that you have done so. This could be the perfect gift for someone who has everything or you know is concerned about world affairs or humanitarian causes.

Food Gifts For friends and Family;

If you are looking to find ideas for making your own food gifts for family members, friends or co-workers, there is useful advice here.

This is what we did for years for birthdays and during the Christmas season. We’d prepare a package of the person’s favourite food items and that would be our gift. This was always well received. Some people will not treat themselves but do love it when they get treats they love.

Give the gift of food some thought when you next need to buy a gift, you can make a difference in someone’s life and say happy birthday at the same time.