A bright horizon awaits future generations with your support today
There has never been a more appropriate time to recognize the importance of community health. The World Health Organization (WHO) agrees as we enter World Health Day this April 7. Over the past five decades the annual event has shed light on important issues such as mental health, maternal and child care, and climate change. But in 2021 the WHO asks us to look at the big picture with a new theme: Building a fairer, healthier world for everyone.
Here’s how your household can contribute.
Ways Your Household Can Support Their Community in Recognition of World Health Day 2021 (and Beyond)
Help Break the Link Between Discrimination and Food Security
“The world is still an unequal one. The places where we live, work and play may make it harder for some to reach their full health potential, while others thrive. Health inequities are not only unjust and unfair, but they also threaten the advances made to date, and have the potential to widen rather than narrow equity gaps.” (WHO – World Health Day 2021)
The theme of World Health Day this year speaks to a major issue in Canada – discrimination and food insecurity. How can your household make a difference? Small but important steps.
Support local initiatives to introduce crop growing along with breakfast/lunch programs in schools. In addition, volunteer at community gardens in your area. Also purchase foods from farmers markets and shop at natural health retailers with a track record of giving back to the community. Lastly (and importantly), speak to your children about the issue, and introduce reading materials and workbooks about sustainable food growing into their at-home learning activities. View our guide to how communities can pull together to end discriminatory food insecurity.
Grow Your Own Home Garden – It’s Contagious!
Gardening is contagious. When neighbors see an adjacent home plant a garden they become inspired to do the same. From there they fall (or should we say grow?) like dominoes. That’s right, by growing a food garden in your yard you not only provide the household with nutritious food you inspire your surrounding community to follow suit. Choose crops that will thrive in Canada’s moderate climate. We have detailed five that are also known to have mood-boosting properties – a great way to put a smile on the face of your home and community!
Grow a Pollinator Garden in Your Community
Community health is not just supported by growing access to nutritious food, it’s also about creating a better environment to live within. Clean air is important for general health, but greener communities also support mental and emotional wellness. The issue is that with densification, creating a better environment in areas with populations who need it most can be a challenge. This is where pollinator gardens come in.
A pollinator garden is an oasis for birds, bees, beneficial bugs, and other animals that are responsible for fertilizing plants. They have an irreplaceable role in the production of seeds, fruits, vegetables, and oxygen through photosynthesis. Pollinator gardens will support nearby food forests, but will also create cleaner and more breathable air. They can also turn a concert jungle into an inspiring green-space that will be enjoyed physiologically, mentally, and emotionally by all who live within and frequent the area. All it takes is the planting of a single flower to get started. View our guide on how to introduce pollinators into an urban environment.
Donate
The above steps help make a difference in a “big picture” sense. But if your household is in the position to make a donation to a foundation that is already serving communities across Canada, your gift will have a direct and immediate impact.
If you would like your children to have a more immersive experience when it comes to giving to those in need, you may start a household or neighborhood fundraiser. Consider a neighborhood yard/garage sale, with an understanding that the respective proceeds will go to a previously agreed upon cause. We have already provided a guide to charitable fundraising from home for your convenience. You may also participate in our Foundation’s Peer-to-Peer fundraising program right here. In addition, have a look at how your household can get involved by donating treasure, time, or talent to the community causes of the Plant a Seed & See What Grows Foundation.
If just one household from each community took the step to support wellness initiatives in their own neighborhood, collectively we could achieve the goal set forth by the World Health Organization. Let’s make it happen…together!
