Ryerson University Experts Offer Tips on Teaching Children About Charity and on Food Security
Newswise — The holiday season is an important time to think of others. It’s also important to recognize and cut down your excesses and start new resolutions as you head into a new year.
Establish Inclusive Traditions1. Have a children’s party, like a traditional birthday party, and be sure to invite your child(ren)’s friends who are from different cultural backgrounds. Have them share with each other parts of their culture as they share in parts of yours.
2. Remind your children that the holidays are about giving, not just receiving. Have your child create a list of people they want to give gifts to. You can restrict the number to whatever seems manageable for you/them. Plan time for baking, crafts, etc. where you and your child(ren) can make gifts, crafts, cookies, etc. for the people on their list. Resist the temptation of going shopping on behalf of your children for people on their list.
3. Consider volunteering at a local charitable organization. Take toys and gifts to children in need or the elderly. Involve your children so they can see the true spirit of the season.
Think Food SecurityFood security means having sufficient food for all people at all times that is accessible, nutritious and safe, and produced in environmentally sustainable ways. It means having access to food that is produced and obtained in ways that do not compromise people's dignity, self-respect or human rights. This holiday season you can help advance food security.
1. Volunteer at a food bank, soup kitchen, or shelter. The holiday season is a very busy time at all of these organizations.
2. As much as possible purchase and consume locally grown and produced food. For the holidays try local fruits in your pies; boil, bake or mash local potatoes; and look for local free-range turkeys. 3. Consider herb gardens and other container gardening plants as gifts for friends and loved ones.
4. Join an organization working to bring change to the food system. There are many organizations where you can find good-hearted foodies. In Canada, you may consider joining Food Secure Canada www.foodsecurecanada.org, a citizen's coalition working towards eliminating hunger, establishing a sustainable food system and healthy and safe food for all.
5. Add these community-minded initiatives to your New Year’s Resolutions:a. Join a food cooperative.b. Eat more locally grown foods.c. Join a community garden.d. Add space for growing fruit and vegetables in your back yard.e. If you live in a shared space, be it an apartment, condo or co-op, encourage the building and tenants to start a green roof program.f. Shop more at local Farmer’s Markets.g. Buy fair trade products.
Experts available for interviews:
Patrizia Albanese Associate Professor, Department of Sociology
Mustafa KocAssociate Professor, Department of SociologyFounding Coordinator, Centre for Studies in Food Security
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