Clean Water for Haiti

One in eight children in Haiti don’t live to see their fifth birthday because of illnesses they get drinking dirty water, and more infants die of preventable waterborne diseases than in any other country in the western hemisphere.

All Hands is responding by producing biosand water filters as a simple solution to provide safe, clean drinking water. They’re small enough to put in homes and schools, and can filter water from common sources like rivers, pumps and wells for ten years or more.

A gift of 20 dollars this holiday season will give a person clean water for 10 years or more. 100 dollars sponsors an entire filter, providing clean water to a family in need. This holiday season you have the opportunity to change someone’s life. People should never have to be without safe, clean drinking water.

For more information or to help purchase biosand water filters for Haiti, visit All Hands Volunteers.

Food Insecurity in the United States

According to USDA data, more than 50 million Americans are food insecure (lack consistent access to a well balanced diet). In 2009, this data translated to 1 in 4 children (more than 17 million children) as being food insecure.

To get involved with feeding the nation's hungry, visit your local food bank or help at the national level. One organization that is working hard to feed America is Seashare.

Are Farm Raised Shellfish Healthy?

In North America, aquaculturists grow high quality farmed oysters, clams, mussels and bay scallops. Farm raised shellfish are known for being uniform, clean, healthy and full of nutrients.

Farmed shellfish are also good for the environment. A single adult oyster can filter up to 60 gallons of water a day. Shellfish aquaculture is a booming industry in the USA and Canada. Most operations have a reputation for being sustainable, while providing safe, high quality shellfish.

In addition to commercial shellfish farms, small scale shellfish gardening on privately owned waterfront property is gaining popularity. These micro-systems, tended by environmentally concerned citizens, support oysters, blue mussels, clams and other shellfish.