High Five from WILL WORK FOR FOOD: Participants Who Have Raised the Most $

This week's High Five recognizes the five WILL WORK FOR FOOD participants who have raised the most money by getting their local work efforts sponsored by friends and family. Feel free to check out the profiles of each of these five outstanding individuals listed below:

1) Stephanie Stahl, University of Michigan, $610
2) Lucy Warren, Ohio Wesleyan University, $495
3) Lauren Yaffe, University of Michigan, $470
4) Jake Markel, Huron High School, $320
5) Jamie Plzak, University of Wisconsin, $235

The people above exemplify the power of the WILL WORK FOR FOOD fundraising platform. Together they have raised enough money to help save dozens of malnourished kids abroad. As Lucy at Ohio Wesleyan told us, "Within the first twenty minutes of sending an email to friends and family, I was receiving notifications of donations and the support has continued to come in!"

Raising this much money for WWFF is by no means mandatory in order to get involved. Truly, every little bit raised helps.

Would you like to GET INVOLVED with WILL WORK FOR FOOD? It only takes a few minutes so get started today!

If you want to know every time WILL WORK FOR FOOD posts something new to our blog, email willworkforfoodblog@gmail.com with the subject line "Sign me up."

Participant of the Week: Lauren Yaffe

Since joining WILL WORK FOR FOOD, Lauren Yaffe, a 2007 graduate from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, has raised almost $500 through a variety of unique work efforts. This past weekend, Lauren participated in the Martin Luther King Jr. Service Project in Chicago, Illinois. To learn more about Lauren and this very special service opportunity, we asked her a few questions and here's what she had to say:


Q: Where are you from?
A: I'm originally from Madison, WI, but now I live in Chicago, where I work for a mid-sized public and accounting firm.

Q: If you could meet one person, real or fictional, who would it be and why?
A: Oprah! I think she is such a strong and accomplished woman and I believe in a lot of the causes that she supports. I also enjoy her show and think that she would be fascinating to speak to in person.

Q: Tell us an interesting fact about yourself.
A: I've traveled to almost 20 countries and really enjoy going to exotic places! The coolest place I've ever traveled to was the Galapagos Islands, off the coast of Ecuador.

Q: What are your favorite pastimes?
A: Working out, arts and crafts, spending time with family and friends, biking, jazz dance, and trying new restaurants in Chicago!

Q: Can you tell us a little more about your most recent work effort, the Martin Luther King Jr. Service Project?
A: The Martin Luther King Jr. Service Project is to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. in the Chicago community. Participants were able to participate in a number of projects, such as painting murals, organizing a library, and making a fresh meal for seniors. Specifically, I painted a large canvas painting which will be hung in the hallways of Bouchet Academy, a math and science elementary school in Chicago.

Q: How did you raise money for this event?
A: I raised $370 this year for the MLK Service Project. I sent out an email to close friends and family educating them about my volunteer effort and asking for donations to WWFF to sponsor my work effort.

Q: Why are you interested in helping and participating in WILL WORK FOR FOOD?
A: I think the premise of WWFF is great - I get to volunteer for causes that are important to me while getting the encouragement and support of family and friends by having them donate to a worthy cause to fight child malnutrition abroad.

Q: If you could describe WILL WORK FOR FOOD in one word, what would it be?
A: Progressive

Do you want to join WILL WORK FOR FOOD in its fight against child malnutrition? Register and get started today!

If you want to know every time WILL WORK FOR FOOD posts something new to our blog, email willworkforfoodblog@gmail.com with the subject line "Sign me up."

High Five from WILL WORK FOR FOOD: Josh Cohen

Every other week, our High Five post will feature an internal member of WILL WORK FOR FOOD sharing five of their favorite things. Hopefully, these posts will help you get to know our team a little better.

Josh Cohen is one of the co-founders of WILL WORK FOR FOOD. Josh graduated from the University of Michigan in 2009 with a degree in Organizational Studies. He is currently traveling and visiting family to explore "the infinite possibilities life has to offer" and to figure out what he'll be doing next. Before leaving for a two-month journey to France, Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Cyprus, and Turkey, Josh left us with five of his favorite quotes:

1) "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then quit. There's
no point in being a damn fool about it." (W. C. Fields)

2) "When you are in love you can't fall asleep because reality is
better than your dreams." (Dr. Seuss)

3) "I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings
endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides.
Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages
the tormentor, never the tormented." (Elie Wiesel)

4) "Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to
success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful."
(Albert Schweitzer)

5) "The best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or
even heard, but must be felt with the heart." (Helen Keller)


Josh WILL WORK FOR FOOD because he knows that we have the potential to unite and create a world dedicated to global citizenship, where local volunteerism can also help fight child malnutrition abroad. We wish Josh luck in his travels and hope his favorite quotes inspire you to GET INVOLVED.

If you want to know every time WILL WORK FOR FOOD posts something new to our blog, email willworkforfoodblog@gmail.com with the subject line "Sign me up."

Participant of the Week: Amy Verhey

Amy Verhey is a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Not only is Amy a campus representative for the university, but with the help of over 6 sponsors, she has also raised a substantial amount of money for WILL WORK FOR FOOD. Since Amy is so active with WWFF on her campus, we wanted to know more about her involvement in her own words and here's what she had to share:

Q: What are you studying at UW-Madison?
A: I'm currently undecided, but I'm interested in psychology, communications, and Spanish. After I graduate I would like to continue my education in graduate school.

Q: What's your favorite book?
A: Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser

Q: What is your favorite band?
A: Dashboard Confessional

Q: What is something you would like to do before you graduate?
A: I really want to study abroad in Spain and travel all over Europe. I think it would be an amazing experience!

Q: What else are you involved in at UW-Madison?
A: I'm the Vice President of Communications for my sorority, Pi Beta Phi. I'm also a member of the Dietetics and Nutrition Club, as well as Associated Women of Communications.

Q: How did you find out about WILL WORK FOR FOOD?
A: I found out about WWFF through my sorority. After hearing about its great purpose, I decided to become a campus representative and help spread the word throughout campus.

Q: What has been your most successful work effort?
A: I volunteer at Wisconsin Public Television. I primarily help during the network's telethons by answering phones and receiving donations. Through these telethons, I also got sponsors to sponsor me using the WILL WORK FOR FOOD website. I e-mailed my family and friends, and was thrilled that so many people were willing to donate to such a great cause such as child malnutrition.

Q: As UW-Madison's campus rep, what kinds of projects do you have planned for this semester?
A: We are going to plan a large event for the beginning of the semester to really get people involved. We have so many student groups and individuals who are signed up to help us kick off our first work effort of the semester!

Q: Why are you interested in participating in WILL WORK FOR FOOD?
A: When I heard about WWFF I joined immediately and am so glad I did. The malnutrition epidemic is such an important issue that definitely deserves more attention than it currently receives, and I think that WWFF does a great job spreading the word to colleges all across the nation. Since all the money we raise goes directly towards Doctors Without Borders and the purchase of Plumpy'nut, I know that my contribution really will make a huge difference.

Q: If you could describe WILL WORK FOR FOOD in one word, what would it be?
A: Rewarding

Lucy's experience is a perfect example of how you can have an impact in your local community while fighting child malnutrition with WILL WORK FOR FOOD.

Register at http://www.willworkforfood.org/user/register today and start working for food! Try using the "Get Sponsors" email to find friends and family to sponsor your work.

If you want to know every time WILL WORK FOR FOOD posts something new to our blog, email willworkforfoodblog@gmail.com with the subject line "Sign me up."

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Malnutrition Kills Too Many Children

"Every year, malnutrition kills five million children - that's one child every six seconds."

This means that by the time you're done reading this sentence, a child will have died that could have been saved by a ready-to-use therapeutic food like Plumpy’nut.

What if you had the power to save some of these kids? Would you do something to help these innocent children live the long and healthy lives they deserve?

Realizing that our own personal lives are removed from the daily happenings of these severely malnourished children, we designed WILL WORK FOR FOOD to give people an opportunity to help their own communities (something we're all more familiar with) while raising relief funds to save these malnourished children.

Our "workers" volunteer in their own community and then ask friends and family members to sponsor this work with a donation. Every dollar raised helps our affiliates, Doctors Without Borders, purchase and distribute life-saving nutritional supplements to severely malnourished children.

With how connected the world is these days, we cannot just ignore this malnutrition epidemic that takes the lives of so many children. Time is ticking and kids need saving. So get involved today!

Visit our Get Involved page to sign up, Learn More pages for more information on Malnutrition and Plumpy'nut, or the Donate Now page to make a contribution.

If you want to know every time WILL WORK FOR FOOD posts something new to our blog, email willworkforfoodblog@gmail.com with the subject line "Sign me up."

Participant of the Week: Lucy Warren

"Within the first twenty minutes of sending an email to friends and family, I was receiving notifications of donations and the support has continued to come in!"

Lucy Warren, a senior at Ohio Wesleyan University, has raised over $400 for WILL WORK FOR FOOD thanks to the support of her family and friends that have sponsored her work effort. Her commitment to helping her own community and fighting child malnutrition made her a perfect person for this week's Participant of the Week. We wanted to get to know Lucy a little better and find out how she was so successful in finding sponsors. Here's what she had to say:


Q: What's your favorite TV show?
A: The Office

Q: What's your favorite sports team?
A: Washington Redskins, even though we're struggling this season!

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: I would love to go to Africa, but I would also really like to go back to India.

Q: How did you find out about WILL WORK FOR FOOD?
A: I found out about WWFF from my roommate and close friend, Lily Strumwasser, who is also the WWFF Campus Representative at Ohio Wesleyan. She got me interested in this wonderful organization.

Q: How have you raised the money so far?
A: I contacted family and friends by email and explained what WILL WORK FOR FOOD is all about. I had an overwhelming amount of support from both family and friends. Within the first twenty minutes of sending the initial email, I was receiving notifications of donations and the support has continued to come in!

Q: What specifically are you doing for your work effort?
A: In February, a group of Ohio Wesleyan students, including myself, are planning an event for the local families in Deleware, OH who are in need. The event will include food, games, music, and fun for all ages!

Q: Why were you inspired to get involved in WILL WORK FOR FOOD?
A: I believe this organization has created an outstanding opportunity for students to independently stand up and reach out to those in need by making a difference at home in their own communities while addressing the international malnutrition crisis.

Q: If you could describe WILL WORK FOR FOOD in one word, what would it be?
A: Progressive

Lucy's experience is a perfect example of how you can have an impact in your local community while fighting child malnutrition with WILL WORK FOR FOOD.

Register at http://www.willworkforfood.org/user/register today and start working for food! Try using the "Get Sponsors" email to find friends and family to sponsor your work.

If you want to know every time WILL WORK FOR FOOD posts something new to our blog, email willworkforfoodblog@gmail.com with the subject line "Sign me up."