World Food Programme inspiring 'Gift of Hope'

The family feasts are finished and the parades wound down. We have gathered together to celebrate our blessings and the abundance in our lives.

This Thanksgiving and in the upcoming holiday season, please remember those who are less fortunate with a lasting Gift of Hope to the World Food Programme.

This holiday season, make a difference by giving family and friends a life-changing gift… the Gift of Hope. Look at our new catalogue with 12 ways to fight hunger, and find the gift that inspires you most. Your gift will bring happiness to a loved one and spread hope to people bearing the burden of hunger each and every day. Hope means a brighter future when a child receives the gift of a school lunch; it means survival during an emergency when a family receives the gift of nutritious biscuits; and it means a healthy newborn baby when a mother receives the gift of fortified food. Find the true meaning of the holiday season by giving the Gift of Hope. Your personalized e-card that is sent when you make this lasting gift will also inspire generosity of spirit in others.

Nutritious food for a pregnant or new mother - Help a woman give her child a better chance from the start. Utensils for 25 students to eat lunch at school - No child should go hungry.   Nutritious biscuits for 100 victims of emergencies - Time saved means lives saved.

Taste of the Nation goal to end childhood hunger

Six of the nation’s top chefs will showcase their culinary skills while demonstrating their passion for ending childhood hunger in America by participating in Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation® and serving on the first-ever Taste of the Nation Culinary Council.

Donate or get involved at www.tasteofthenation.org.

The New York City event will be May 20 at 7:30 pm in the Roseland Ballroom (239 West 52nd Street (b/w Broadway and 8th Avenue), featuring signature dishes and desserts from more than 50 of the city's finest restaurants.

More than 40 Taste of the Nation events are planned across the United States and Canada. All events showcase top local chefs at either tasting events or seated dinners, and 100 percent of ticket sales help ensure no kid in America grows up hungry.

The Culinary Council, an elite group of chefs dedicated to culinary excellence and giving back to the community, will appear at select events including Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, New York City, and Washington, D.C.

The Council features Mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim of themodernmixlogist.com and Chefs David Burke of David Burke Restaurants, RJ Cooper III of Vidalia, Michael Kornick of mk, the restaurant, Mindy Segal of HotChocolate Restaurant and John Tesar of Fishtail by David Burke.

“Hunger affects every community in America. In this economic climate, it’s more important than ever that those of us who can contribute, do contribute,” said Chef David Burke. “Participating in Taste of the Nation is one small way that I can help Share Our Strength and my community.”