The FoodFirst Information and Action Network is running an art contest themed around the right to food: http://www.stop-impunity.org/?page_id=23. The contest is open for submissions between now and February 10. Any filmed or photographed artwork or performance is acceptable, and first prize is 1000 Euro. Plus all three winners get to attend 'the European Summer School for the Right to Food' (no, I don't know what that is either). Not bad for what could be just a few minutes of you goofing off and uploading the video...
Effort involved: as much or as little as you'd like. Did I mention the 1000 Euro?
Image from: http://www.superstock.com/stock-photos-images/4029R-181363
Ok, this one will require you to shell out between $40 and $750. But not only will you be supporting the work of the conservation group The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International (this is one organization that would benefit from an acronym), you'll also be able to mention your adopted gorilla, which, let's be honest, would be pretty cool. And you won't even have to clean up primate feces if your gorilla feels the need to make a display of dominance, so it's the best of both worlds.
Effort involved: a credit card payment. You don't actually have to read the newsletter, certificate, updates and other things that come with your adoption package, since someone else is taking care of your adoptee! You can be a totally negligent parent!
Image from: http://www.pics.efreez.com/view-funny_gorilla-1280x800.html
...and ensure that one of these is always near at hand. This could be anything, e.g.:
- orchids
- gin
- dark chocolate
- the jersey of your favorite team
- a stuffed animal
- a vibrator
- your go-to comfort music
- a treasured gift
- a jump rope for working out frustration in the form of sweat
- a crossword puzzle
- a photo
- Virgin Mary incense
If your mood is good, you'll be less likely to harm the moods of the people around you. And that is good.
Effort involved: fun, simple, easy to do. All you need is a pen, a paper and a brief think.
People who devote their time to charitable ends aren't acknowledged enough. Often this is because it isn't clear when someone is volunteering; other times it's assumed that strangers shouldn't be doing the acknowledging. But since we all benefit from the work volunteers do, thanking them is a very simple but worthwhile thing to do. They're guaranteed to be appreciative. So the next time you find yourself at a charity shop, bake sale, protest, half marathon, [whatever], consider taking the time to thank one of the volunteers.
Effort involved: one line, a few seconds. All you have to say is "By the way, thanks for doing this." Maximum impact for minimum opening of your mouth!
Image from http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1441860
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