Portland Based Mercy Corps Encourages Book Clubs To Help Fight Global Hunger

Portland based Mercy Corps has recently partnered with Nicholas Kristoff (NYT Columnist and Yamhill native) and Sheryl WuDunn to encourage people to read their new book, Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide (Knopf), and take action to fight global hunger.  As part of this effort they have launched a contest for book clubs, with the winner receiving a “personal visit and discussion session” with the two authors.

In order to win, the book club must compile the “most impressive record of activism” by June 15, 2010.  The “activism” Mercy Corps will be judging includes: money raised, number of donors, events held, advocacy efforts, publicity garnered, and creativity and impact in their activities.  Participating book clubs also get exclusive discussion questions from Nick and Sheryl, handmade bookmarks from India, and updates on Half the Sky news and events.  Read the full contest rules here.

The contest is part of Mercy Corps’ broader campaign, dubbed One Table, that seeks to raise $3 million over the next year in order to fight global hunger through directly empowering women.

So if you are looking for a way to spice up your book club, why not start with helping to change the world?  Sign your book club up for the contest here.