Church Leader's Green Initiative Heads East to Ottawa

United Church of Canada Moderator Mardi Tindal
photo credit: United Church of Canada

TORONTO, March 28, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - When Mardi Tindal was elected Moderator of The United Church of Canada in August 2009, she knew that managing her carbon footprint would be difficult during a three-year term where she would be expected to travel extensively. So she challenged the church to help her reduce the impact of that travel by taking actions that offset the carbon emissions that would accumulate as a result of fulfilling her role as Moderator.

But she also wanted to do more, so she pledged to limit her travel by air, and to do as much travel as possible using "green-friendly" transportation. She kept that promise last fall by scheduling her regional visits to northern Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta as a month-long journey—travelling much of the time by train.

Now Tindal's Spirit Express train journey is heading east—travelling between Toronto and Ottawa, with stops along the way in Cobourg, Belleville, Kingston, and Smiths Falls.

During this leg of her journey, Tindal will host three town hall meetings focused on environmental concerns and the care of creation in Cobourg, Smiths Falls, and Ottawa. Later in May, she will travel by train to Halifax to visit the church's Maritime Conference, and in October 2011, she'll board the train once again connecting her visits to Hamilton and London Conferences.

Tindal sees the town hall meetings as opportunities for soulful conversations about how we can find ways to live abundantly within the natural limits of God's creation.

"We need to be able to celebrate people's stories of hope—their green achievements—as well as hear their stories of suffering and concern about climate and ocean change," says Tindal.

People interested in tracking the Moderator's travels on the Spirit Express can do so by visiting www.wondercafe.ca/spiritexpress.

UNICEF... In the US Pay $1 for Tap Water During World Water Week, Save Childrens' Lives (Video)

from TreeHugger.com
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California

Tap water at restaurants in the US is usually free, but UNICEF is encouraging restaurants across the country to ask patrons for a $1 donation for their free tap water this week. It is World Water Week, and the donations will go to UNICEF to help save the lives of children in areas where access to water is either difficult, or downright dangerous to health. How can you make a difference this week when you dine out? Read on -- it's easier than you think.

How We Engineered the Food Crisis

from TreeHugger.com
by Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California

With rising populations of people and shrinking supplies of food, it seems like ensuring access to three square meals a day for every mouth is an ever more impossible task. What have we done to get ourselves into this mess? The Guardian has an interesting piece called "How We Engineered The Food Crisis" on the hurdles we've placed in front of ourselves, not the least of which, the author argues, is regulatory barriers to the research in and use of genetically modified foods.

"...[P]rivate investment in R&D on innovative practices and technologies has been discouraged by arbitrary and unscientific national and international regulatory barriers - against, in particular, new varieties of plants produced with modern genetic engineering (aka recombinant DNA technology or genetic modification, or GM). Genetic engineering offers plant breeders the tools to make crops do spectacular new things. Can the flawed public policy that prevails in most of the world be rationalised?"

Would greasing the wheels of GMO research and implementation be a reasonable solution to the food crisis? Read the full article, and come back to let us at TreeHugger.com know your thoughts in the comments.

The Good Goes National: Scouts Ready to Rock Canada with Kindness

OTTAWA, March 23, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - In just a few days, The Good Goes National. From March 27 - April 2, 2011, Scouts Canada will celebrate its second National Good Turn Week, and Scouts across the nation will rock the country with thousands of acts of kindness.

It will start with just one Good Turn. In every province, city and town over the next week, hundreds of acts of kindness from the organization's youth members and adult volunteers will gather momentum. Each member has been given an official Good Turn wristband. They'll perform a Good Turn, and pass on the wristband to the recipient of that Good Turn. That person then does a Good Turn for someone else; passing on both the good turn and the wristband …until The Good Goes National.

Last year's inaugural Good Turn Week was a tremendous success for Scouting's membership, with over 100,000 Good Turns taking place nationwide. This year, kids and adults alike were so anxious to start, they began asking for their wristbands in early January.

Steve Kent, the organization's Chief Commissioner, is not surprised at all that Scouting youth are so hyped for their second annual event:

"Our members are ready to take on National Good Turn Week with the characteristic enthusiasm that is so very Scouting. We are not at all surprised, but we never cease to be impressed, particularly by the knowledge that our youth think doing a Good Turn is cool! Our current technology and social media tools will allow the entire country to see what Scouting is all about; what a positive and uplifting message. And given the increases in overall membership we've seen over the past two years, it's clear that Canadian youth and parents appreciate the values that make Scouting unique as a youth organization. It's nice to know that to Canadians, Scouting still stands for goodness."

National Good Turn Week will feature its own bilingual website accessible at http://www.goodturnweek.ca/. All Scouts, leaders and others can post and share their Good Turn ideas in real time, text them, or share their thoughts on Facebook and Twitter.

About Scouts Canada

Scouts Canada, Canada's leading youth organization, offers fun and exciting outdoor adventure for boys, girls and youth ages 5 - 26 in communities across Canada. Youth in Scouts have fun adventures discovering new things and experiences they wouldn't discover elsewhere. Along the way, they develop into capable, confident and well-rounded individuals, better prepared for success in the world. For over 100,000 members in Canada, Scouts is the start of something great. It starts with Scouts.

Running on Empty - Ontario Hunger Report Chronicles Persistent Economic Hardship in Canada's Most Populous Province

The 21st Century's first decade in Ontario will be remembered for the hard-hitting recession, rising food prices, unemployment, affordable housing shortages - and hunger



TORONTO, March 22, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - The Ontario Association of Food Banks (OAFB) is calling on all Ontario political parties to walk the talk and make hunger a top priority ahead of the provincial election scheduled for October. The OAFB call to action follows the release of Running On Empty: A Decade of Hunger in Ontario, its report chronicling startling trends in food bank use over the century's first 10 years across Ontario.

According to the Running On Empty report, even as the province recovers from the recession, more than 400,000 Ontarians are forced to turn to food banks each and every month. The report is the most recent in a series of high profile announcements by national and provincial organizations pointing to an alarming growth rate in the number of malnourished and chronically hungry people in Canada.

"The numbers don't lie: our report provides irrefutable, once-and-for-all empirical evidence that hunger and lack of basic necessities are chronic problems across Ontario," said Ed Borkowski, Executive Director, Ontario Association of Food Banks. "How many more reports will it take for Ontario political party leaders to wake up to the fact that hunger needs to be at the top of their agendas?"

The OAFB is asking Ontario citizens to support its call to action by sending an online e-card petition to all three main political parties in Ontario, asking them to put hunger at the top of their election platforms. The e-cards can be completed and sent from the OAFB website at: www.oafb.ca

Running On Empty reveals that the average profile of those accessing food banks across Ontario has shifted over the last 10 years, with single adults now comprising the largest proportion of the population served by them. Meanwhile, food bank use has grown by as much as 28 per cent since 2008, with 3.1 per cent of the province's entire population accessing food banks, making Ontario the third most intensive user of food bank services in Canada.

The report also finds that 85 per cent of food bank users are either Canadian-born or have lived in Canada for more than 10 years. The number of newcomers turning to food banks decreased from 29 per cent in 2007 to 15 per cent in 2010.

"Health care is always at the top of everyone's political agenda, but not enough is being done to proactively address health problems arising directly from poor nutrition and poverty," said Borkowski. "We must start thinking about turning these trends around so Ontario can remain a strong and healthy place for families to live, work and thrive."

Report Highlights:

Running On Empty: A Decade of Hunger in Ontario

More than 400,000 Ontarians are forced to turn to food banks each and every month (3.1 per cent of the province's population). This makes Ontario the third most intensive user of food bank services in Canada. Other key facts and findings:

Family background

...Single adults now comprise the largest proportion of the population served by food banks (38 per cent in 2010, up from 26 per cent in 2002)

...Single parent families are the second largest group served (30 per cent in 2010, down from a peak of 39 per cent in 2003)

..Two parent families come third. They accounted for 22 per cent of food bank clients in 2010 (down from 27 per cent in 2002)

...Children and youth under the age of 18 account for 37 per cent of the population served by food banks in March 2010, down from 40 per cent in 2000.

...15 per cent of food bank clients were new Canadians (have lived in Canada less than 10 years) in 2010 down from 29 per cent in 2007

...Aboriginal clients also declined over time to 7 per cent in 2010

Sources of income

..Most Ontario households using food banks depended on social assistance (45 per cent) in 2010. But this was much lower than the 65 per cent in 2000.

...In contrast, the number of households receiving Ontario Disability Program (ODSP) benefits increased over the decade from 14 per cent in 2000 to 23 per cent in 2010

...Over 5 per cent of the households served relied on pension income, the same as in 2001

...Only 11 per cent of households had employment income in 2010, about the same as the early 2000s; access to Employment Insurance (EI) fluctuated through the decade, hitting a low of 2.6 per cent of households in 2008 and a peak of 5 per cent in 2004

...In rural areas (communities under 10,000), 9 per cent received EI benefits and 40 per cent received social assistance, while 22 per cent accessed Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) benefits

Housing

...64 per cent of people served by food banks in 2010 lived in market rental accommodation; 27 per cent lived in social housing. Only 4.4 per cent owned their own homes

...Comparing the Ontario average with rural areas, homeownership was higher in rural settings (17 per cent of food bank clients), but rental accommodation was lower, at 51 per cent in 2010. And more people were living with family or friends (6 per cent rural vs. 2 per cent for the province as a whole)


About the Ontario Association of Food Banks (OAFB)

The Ontario Association of Food Banks (OAFB) is a network of 20 regional food banks and over 100 community food banks across the province from Windsor to Ottawa and Niagara Falls to Thunder Bay working towards a hunger-free Ontario. It is our mission to provide food, funding, and solutions to reduce hunger in the province. For more information about OAFB as well as hunger and poverty in Ontario, please visit www.oafb.ca.

Devastation in Japan "immense" says World Vision Canada President

Dave Toycen moved by resilience of Japanese people in the face of "triple disaster"

SENDAI, Japan, March 18, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - World Vision Canada President and CEO Dave Toycen says he is saddened by the scale of destruction that is he seeing in northeastern Japan following last week's earthquake and tsunami.

Toycen arrived in Japan on Thursday and on Friday, he accompanied a team from World Vision Japan to deliver humanitarian supplies in the community of Tome, about 500 kilometers north of Tokyo. The supplies include blankets, sanitary products such as diapers and bottled water and will provide approximately 6,000 people with these necessities. Toycen and the team members also visited Minami Sanriku, a coastal community where almost half of the 20,000 residents are missing and feared dead.

"The scale of destruction in Minami Sanriku is immense," Toycen says. "Where a thriving community once existed, now there is nothing left. Everything has been flattened and destroyed. I was able to speak with some local survivors and was moved by their resilience and desire to carry on with hope and determination in the face of this triple disaster - earthquake, tsunami and fears of radiation."

Toycen adds that he's been impressed with dedication of the World Vision Japan staff who have worked tirelessly for several days with little sleep and occasional meals. He also has praise for the work that is already being done by the Government of Japan, which has provided leadership and structure to the relief efforts being undertaken in the affected areas. Nevertheless, Toycen says World Vision still has work to do.

"We experienced a modest tremor on Thursday, and no doubt these aftershocks continue to cause anxiety, especially among children," Toycen says. "World Vision is working to set up some child-friendly spaces so the children have somewhere to play and we can provide some psycho-social support."

Canadians can donate by:

...visiting www.worldvision.ca

...texting WORLD to 45678 on their cell phones

...calling 1-800-268-5528

World Vision is a leading Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.

Canada's Burden: Being a "Responsible" Country in a Turbulent World

OTTAWA, March 18, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - It is in Canada's interest to continue to act responsibly, even though other countries are behaving irresponsibly in terms of their macroeconomic policies, The Conference Board of Canada argues in a publication released today.

"Being a responsible nation in a turbulent world can be a burden," said Glen Hodgson, Senior Vice-President and Chief Economist. "Yet, Canada needs to remain a good global citizen, and encourage others to do the same. As long as public debt in other major countries remains high and global imbalances persist, we will have to roll with the punches."

The global economic system has been hit by new shocks, like political events in the Middle East and North Africa, and the horrific natural disaster in Japan, at a time when the deep structural weaknesses and imbalances among developed countries are becoming more apparent.

Canada has a respected voice in forums such as the G7/8 and G20, which it can use to encourage other countries to implement policies that consider the collective interests of the global community, rather than domestic self-interest.

After gaining ground on the world's leading economies during the recession, Canada is returning to a middle-of-the-pack ranking in the Conference Board's How Canada Performs. Canada is forecast to rank ninth in the Economy category in 2011, after moving up to sixth in both 2008 and 2009. Despite this slippage, Canada retains strong macroeconomic fundamentals, such as relatively modest public debt burdens and low inflation.

At home, the Conference Board's consistent message has been that federal and provincial governments should implement credible plans to restore fiscal balance within a reasonable time frame. Within the next fiscal year, they should use their budgets to detail plans to cap their debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio - and then to reduce it. Price stability should resume being the primary objective of monetary policy. And businesses will have to continue to adjust to a Canadian dollar at or above parity, since the forces that are driving its strength are not going to abate soon.

The publication, Oh Canada: The Burden of Being a Responsible Nation in a Turbulent World, is available to Conference Board subscribers or for purchase at www.e-library.ca

Canadian banks accepting donations for Red Cross relief efforts in Japan

OTTAWA, March 14, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - The Canadian Red Cross is pleased to announce that ten banks in Canada are accepting cash donations in support of Red Cross relief efforts in Japan. On Friday March 11, an 8.9 magnitude earthquake struck Japan causing major damage and triggering 4 metre waves in Japan and a tsunami warning across the Pacific Coast.

"Local Red Cross teams have been working around the clock to help millions of people left devastated by the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan," says Conrad Sauvé, Secretary General and CEO of the Canadian Red Cross. "We are grateful to the participating banks for making it easier for Canadians to support Red Cross relief operations underway in affected communities and for the generous donations already made by a number of banks."

The Red Cross response to this disaster was immediate. The Japanese Red Cross has a network of over 2 million registered volunteers. Over 80 health and disaster relief teams are currently on the ground providing emergency medical assistance, assisting in evacuations and distributing urgently needed supplies including over 30,000 blankets.

Canadians can give online, call toll-free at 1-800-418-1111 or visit their local Red Cross office or one of the participating bank branches. Cheques should be earmarked Japan Earthquake Asia Pacific 2011.

The following banks are also accepting financial donations from March 15 to April 15, 2011:

BMO Financial Group
Canadian Western Bank
CIBC
HSBC Bank Canada
ING DIRECT
Laurentian Bank of Canada
National Bank Financial Group
RBC
Scotiabank
TD Canada Trust


The Canadian Red Cross is a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which includes the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and 187 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Our mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world.

University of Guelph Expresses Sympathy to Earthquake, Tsunami Victims

Graphic from How Stuff Works

GUELPH, Ontario March 13, 2011 - University of Guelph Campus Bulletin - Some members of the University of Guelph community have been directly or indirectly affected by the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The U of G community joins others in the world in mourning the tremendous loss of human life.

"On behalf of the entire University, I would like to extend heartfelt condolences to everyone touched by this catastrophe,” says president Alastair Summerlee.

“Our thoughts are with the families whose loved ones are still missing, with those who have lost their homes, and with the people bringing aid and support. It is our hope that the massive groundswell of compassion will
reach those most in need as rapidly as possible.”

It is important for U of G faculty, staff, students and alumni to keep their colleagues at the University informed about members of our community who may be affected by recent events or who are involved with relief initiatives.

The University reminds students and employees who may wish to seek personal counselling that the following services are available on campus:

Student Counselling Services, Ext. 53244

Employee Assistance Program for faculty and staff, Ext. 52133

Multi-Faith Resource Team, Ext. 52390

Knowledge Ontario engages the digital citizen in all Ontarians

TORONTO, March 10, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - The United States, Australia and Britain are giving their citizens greater access to publicly funded research. Finland has enshrined its citizens' right to a high-speed Internet connection in law. Nations around the world increasingly realize that digital knowledge, skills and resources are vital national assets.

In Canada, where just this week comScore released figures showing that we spend twice the time online than any other nation worldwide, the same national conversation is underway and a national digital strategy is expected in the spring. Ontario will have a strong voice in that national conversation—thanks, in part, to the efforts of organizations dedicated to fostering Ontarians' digital literacy.

As one of those organizations, Knowledge Ontario is dedicated to serving the digital citizen. A collaborative partnership involving universities, colleges, school boards, libraries, archives, museums, historical societies and other cultural heritage organizations, Knowledge Ontario builds innovative services and tools that help Ontarians create, use and share digital resources.

Knowledge Ontario gives every Ontarian access to a rich range of authoritative online e-resources. Whether you're a senior citizen in Niagara Falls, a person with disabilities in Kenora, a franco-Ontarian on an Ottawa Valley farm or a young Somali-Canadian in west end Toronto, you have the same access to a wealth of information at your fingertips—all at no cost, due to the collaborative nature of KO.

Live click'n'chat research help with public library staff is one Knowledge Ontario service that high school students in particular flock to because it's available after school and on weekends (in both languages) - and college and university students seek out research help from their academic librarians in a parallel service through KO. Quick tech help and full tutorials support Ontarians learn the software and tools they need to stay on top of their work, their interests and their studies. Millions of government documents, images, historical objects, newspapers, video and audio files, and other digital assets are available globally through KO's sites and portals. And Knowledge Ontario is transforming the public library online catalogue so that browsing the materials at your public library is becoming a meld between an online bookstore and a community space for swapping lists and tagging your favourites.

In using these resources, Ontarians develop the digital skills they need to compete and thrive in the 21st-century knowledge economy. It also addresses the risk in that economy - that a digital divide will arise between those who know how to search effectively, how to validate information, how to get information "pushed" to them, and how to create and re-use digital information—and those who do not. Knowledge Ontario is helping ensure no Ontarians find themselves on the wrong side of that digital divide.

Digital literacy also fosters engaged citizenship. In an open-source world where government information and services are increasingly available online, it's vital to ensure Ontarians have the skills they need to access these resources and also to connect with their fellow Ontarians to bring about change and make differences in our communities. Shared digital resources allow Ontarians to create digital stories deeply rooted in our past and present, and to tell them to the world.

Many people. Many uses. Many places. Searchable, shareable information. A flexible toolset that supports tens of thousands of local groups and individuals. Leading-edge solutions rolled out across the province, reducing duplication and leveraging economies of scale. Award-winning technologies that foster creativity, deep learning and builds skills and capacity. Huge impact at an affordable price. It's forward-looking public investments such as these that have made Ontario a leader in shaping Canada's digital future, providing a strong foundation to build on.

As Ontario moves forward, putting in place comprehensive strategies to build a sustainable, inclusive, affordable digital infrastructure, our digital citizens are already using, creating, aggregating and sharing information and ideas in countless ways. With tools and services at the ready, Ontario engages the digital citizen - you.

Nurses call for shift in health-care priorities

Photo Credit: University of Ottawa Heart Institute

OTTAWA, March 3, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) president Judith Shamian and Nursing Association of New Brunswick (NANB) president Martha Vickers announced today that their organizations will join forces to press for changes to Canada's health system.

"Proponents of for-profit health care are telling Canadians that our health system is unsustainable and that more privatization is the answer. Nurses don't buy either of these claims," said Shamian, who is on a cross-country tour to engage nurses, other health-care providers and government decision-makers in a national dialogue on the future of Canada's health system.

"We need to see a shift of resources towards keeping people well and out of hospital," said Vickers. "It's more cost-effective to invest in areas such as health promotion, disease prevention, early diagnosis and treatment by, for example, providing better access to primary care from a family doctor, a nurse practitioner or a community health clinic."

The nurses' message got a nod of approval yesterday from New Brunswick Premier David Alward, who met with both organizations and told them that the prevention of chronic disease is high on his government's list of priorities. Approximately 77 per cent of New Brunswickers reported having been diagnosed with one or more chronic diseases such as diabetes, arthritis and asthma - conditions that are eating up more and more health-care resources.

The organization presidents also met yesterday with nursing students who were gaining practical experience alongside a nurse practitioner at the Community Health Clinic in Fredericton, which provides care to homeless and disadvantaged people.

"These are the people that often fall through the cracks in the health system because of poor documentation, mental health issues and a general lack of funding," said Shamian. "The students are learning a valuable lesson about the direct link between health and socio-economic factors."

In meetings with officials from the New Brunswick Health ministry, Shamian stressed the need for the province to take the nursing community's recommendations to the table in upcoming federal/provincial negotiations for the 2014 Canada health accord. "The nursing community sees the accord as an opportunity for governments at all levels to look at health care differently and tackle the root causes of what ails health care instead of merely treating the symptoms."

CNA is the national professional voice of registered nurses in Canada. A federation of 11 provincial and territorial nursing associations and colleges representing 143,843 registered nurses, CNA advances the practice and profession of nursing to improve health outcomes and strengthen Canada's publicly funded, not-for-profit health system.

The Nurses Association of New Brunswick is a professional, regulatory body representing 8,900 registered nurses and nurse practitioners. NANB is responsible for advancing and maintaining the standards of nursing in the province, for governing and regulating those offering nursing care.

Environmentalism Ignores the Power of Religious Communities At Its Peril - Let's Change That

from TreeHugger.com
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY

Since the beginning of TreeHugger posts on the intersection of environmentalism and religion, on how the different spiritual traditions of the world are embracing more ecologically-friendly behavior, have been peppered throughout our archive. The fact of the matter though is that, consciously or not, we have largely shied away from highlighting how communities of faith are going green, how religious values can and are being a force for furthering ecological awareness.

Even a Strictly Utilitarian Perspective Demands Religious Inclusion

Instead we have largely focused on the practical aspects of going green: It'll save you money, it's better for your health, it's better for the planet's health (which is better for your health...), it'll preserve a world that your children and grand-children will thrive in, etc, etc.

Which is exactly why we--and I'm speaking now about the environmental community more widely not just my own little corner of it here on TreeHugger--need to recognize the value of religion in creating a more ecologically and socially just future. Before we even get to discussing different spiritual paths' take on the environment, as a practical matter religion is at the center of hundreds of millions of people's lives in one way or another.

It is foolish to not tap into this in a public way, encouraging and emphasizing the fact that there is not a major (or minor) faith tradition on the planet that does not speak positively on environmental preservation.

Religions Value Environment Differently, But There's Plenty of Common Ground

Granted, these values are differently emphasized, differently expressed (and certainly differently applied) in various communities and at different times, but at the core there is not a single path that explicitly endorses pollution, endorses ecological destruction, endorses environmental degradation. Furthermore, as awareness about humans' environmental impact grows more and more religious groups are actively emphasizing ecological protection and acting on these beliefs in practical ways... read more story at TreeHugger.com

Expat Kiwis Can Support St John Online With Christchurch Earthquake Work

WELLINGTON, New Zealand, February 28, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - Kiwis worldwide can go online to support St John, the ambulance service provider helping residents and communities in Christchurch after the recent earthquake which devastated much of the city.

The website www.donatechristchurch.co.nz enables internet and mobile phone users abroad to make a donation to St John and leave messages of goodwill and support on a community notice board.

New Zealand and UK-based IT firm Trademobile has set up the website for St John, a community-based charity which will use all donations to fund its services and rebuild emergency ambulance service infrastructure damaged by the earthquake.

St John spokesperson Gerry Fitzgerald said that mobile and internet technology offers people who want to support St John a fast and practical way to do so. "We've had enquiries from people overseas wanting to support our work. The website means that people anywhere can donate and help us to rebuild and continue to provide emergency medical care and other community services to Christchurch people," he said.

Mr Fitzgerald said St John is helping to support hundreds of homeless and displaced people at welfare centres across the city and in outlying districts such as Rangiora and Rolleston.

"Our ambulance officers and community volunteers are providing care to people in need under very difficult circumstances and operating from temporary locations in the city.

"Donations will boost our ability to restore St John ambulance stations and maintain our much-needed services."

Visitors to the website can donate and download wallpaper images to their mobile phones in acknowledgement of their support for St John's work.



St John is a charitable organisation with a volunteer ethos. It operates independently of Government and business, and serves New Zealand communities.

St John services and products include:

...Emergency and non-emergency ambulance services for approximately 90% of New Zealand's population

...Emergency care and first aid at public events

...Friendship and support over the phone to the lonely and the housebound

...Transport for people to their health appointments

...First aid training and health-related products and services to the community

Severe drought, lack of food threatens millions in Horn of Africa

TORONTO, March 1, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - Unrelenting drought in the Horn of Africa has thrown the region into a humanitarian crisis that is threatening the lives of more than 7 million people in Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia. Children under five are particularly vulnerable, says international relief agency World Vision.

Situation in Somalia

...Somalia's Puntland region is facing its seventh consecutive failed rainy season. Water sources have dried up, forcing people and animals to consume water from the same sources, which raises the risk of waterborne diseases.

...One in three children is already showing symptoms of severe malnutrition in some parts of the country.

...For several weeks, livestock, often the only means of survival for pastoral communities, have been dying.

...Food prices have shot up drastically - in some areas by 300 percent.

Somalia's civil unrest is compounding the crisis, as internally displaced people from the volatile south-central region continue to seek refuge in the Puntland region further north. Their need for employment, pasture land, water, and sanitation facilities is putting growing strain on the region's few existing resources.

"It's a fragile situation, especially in Somalia where families are fleeing violence in one region only to face a severe drought and food shortages in another. They're resorting to dangerous coping mechanisms, such as sending young girls longer distances to find water on their own," says Anne-Marie Connor, Africa Program Manager, World Vision Canada (currently in Somalia).

World Vision responds

...In Somalia, World Vision will focus on Puntland, implementing cash-for-work programs to improve water sources, repairing and constructing water boreholes, distributing goats to pastoral communities, and establishing disaster risk-reduction committees to help build community resilience.

...A key World Vision Canada project in Somalia, funded through CIDA, will provide emergency water, sanitation and health care, including the treatment of severe acute malnutrition in children.

...In Turkana, Kenya and other areas of Ethiopia, World Vision is distributing food rations and clean water to communities.

World Vision is a leading Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Inspired by our Christian values, we are dedicated to working with the world's most vulnerable people. We serve all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.

Campbell Canada launches Nourish in response to growing hunger issue here and abroad

Campbell Canada helps address food security with launch of important innovation and donation of 100,000 cans to Food Banks Canada


TORONTO, February 28, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - Campbell Canada today unveiled Nourish - a complete meal with a full serving of three food groups1 created to help address the growing issue of hunger in Canada and abroad. Nourish delivers vegetables, fibre and at least 18 g of protein, thanks in part to a uniquely Canadian whole grain innovation. Borne from Campbell Canada's belief that everyone should have access to healthy food, Nourish is a first-of-its kind product designed to be a reliable and appealing food source for those who prosper, those in need at food banks and those impacted by disaster situations abroad.

Campbell Canada is launching Nourish with an initial donation of 100,000 cans to Food Banks Canada, with the help of key suppliers Keystone Foods, McCormick Canada, Norampac and Silgan Containers, who donated ingredients and materials including the chicken, spices, corrugate cases and can containers, as well as the support of Pulse Canada. Moving forward, Campbell is currently looking at ways to make the product available at key retailers so that sales of Nourish can help to fund future donations. The company will also continue to work with industry, government and international organizations to explore opportunities to make Nourishmore widely available to those in need.

"We embrace our responsibility to make healthy foods that taste good and are accessible to all Canadians regardless of their economic situation or geographic region," says Philip Donne, president of Campbell Canada. "Nourishis the result of that corporate responsibility coupled withsome of the best food we know how to make. We hope it inspires others to join us in addressing the issue of hunger."

"We commend Campbell Canada's commitment to helping address the issue of food security and alleviating hunger in Canada, especially when food bank usage is at a high," says Katharine Schmidt, Executive Director of Food Banks Canada. "To make a real impact in reducing hunger, it requires all of us to work together and we hope others are inspired by Campbell Canada's launch of Nourish."

"The naked oat that delivers such a nutritional punch in Nourish was made possible by Government of Canada researchers. It was developed by our scientists, grown by Canadian farmers and is now being delivered to families in need," said Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. "We are proud that this innovative variety is part of this tremendous, new product."

Campbell Canada is asking Canadians to join in their efforts to alleviate hunger by learning more about Nourish at Facebook.com/CampbellCanada and sharing their reactions, support and ideas for the future of Nourish. By getting involved, Canadians can trigger a donation of Nourish to Food Banks Canada. There are four ways to help:

...Watch a short video about Nourish on Facebook

...Share the video with friends

...Discuss Nourish on Facebook with a comment or on Twitter using the #Nourish hashtag

...Like the video or the Campbell Canada Facebook page

For the team at Campbell Canada, the launch of Nourish marks the next phase of the company's commitment to provide Extraordinary, Authentic Nourishment for All through three causes:

...Alleviate Hunger means taking a lead role in alleviating hunger because of who we are and what we do. Each year Campbell donates one million pounds of wholesome food to food banks across the country through its multi-year commitment to Food Banks Canada.

...Better Meals means helping Canadians to select better foods and prepare better meals. We've developed hundreds of recipes and products to make it easier for Canadians to prepare better meals.

...Positive Nutrition means ensuring our foods lead in health and wellness. At Campbell, we continue to evolve our products to meet the diverse dietary needs of Canadians so that healthier choices are easier choices.

About Campbell Soup Company

Campbell Soup Company recently unveiled a plan to reduce childhood obesity and hunger in Camden, New Jersey, Campbell's world headquarters' home since 1869. The company plans to invest $10 million over ten years with the goal of reducing childhood obesity and hunger in Camden's 23,000 children by 50 percent.

Through its "Nourishing" corporate social responsibility program, Campbell Soup Company has been recognized for making a positive impact in the workplace, in the marketplace and in the communities in which it operates. The company has been added to the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes, named to the 100 Best Corporate Citizens List by Corporate Responsibility magazine, ranked second in 2008 and ninth in 2009 for Best Corporate Reputation by Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship, Reputation Institute, named to the list of 2010 World's Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere magazine and named a Catalyst Award Winner in 2010. Campbell???s Corporate Social Responsibility report describes the strategies, policies and programs and can be accessed at www.campbellsoupcompany.com/csr

Campbell Soup Company is a global manufacturer and marketer of high-quality foods and simple meals, including soups and sauces, baked snacks and healthy beverages. Founded in 1869, the company has a portfolio of market-leading brands, including "Campbell's," "Pepperidge Farm," "Arnott's" and "V8." With a soup plant located in Toronto, ON, Campbell Canada is a subsidiary of Campbell Soup Company. Through its corporate social responsibility program, the company strives to make a positive impact in the workplace, in the marketplace and in the communities in which it operates. Campbell is a member of the Standard & Poor's 500 and the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes. For more information, visit www.campbellsoup.ca.