My entire reason for picking up the camera is because of people. I love to watch them, find out their stories and capture their image on film. It feels like a gift to that person, immortalizing them and their story. I often day dream about what it would be like to work as a documentary photographer telling the kinds of visual stories some photojournalists get to tell that spark debate, open eyes, and help to change the world.

Well, I’m not there yet, maybe I never will be. But this year I’ve found a really simple and small way to use my gifts as a photographer to help others, even if only in a very tiny way.

In 2008 a couple of Vancouver, CA photographers (Chris+Lynn), an amazing Vancouver duo, started the Cans for Comments campaign. The idea was simple, for every comment they received on their blogs they donated one can of food to a local charity. Pretty cool idea huh? Well a lot of other photographers found out about it and joined in.

Well I just heard about it today from Ontario Photographer David Redding and decided to jump in as well.

So for every comment posted to the blog from now until December 15th I’ll be donating one can of food to Valley Churches United Mission,

It’s real simple, stop by the blog, take a look at the images and leave a thoughtful comment (ok, thoughtless ones will count as well) and I’ll drop a can off at VCUM. Helping people out was never so easy.

Here is a little bit about VCUM from Annette Marcum – Director & Founder

Dear Friends,

Our 28th Annual Holiday Projects are underway. This is only possible because you care and share with your needy neighbors.

Imagine the scene on distribution days at our mission on the corner of Hwy 9 and Glen Arbor in Ben Lomond. Long lines of folks come to receive bags of food filled with all they’ll need to prepare a nourishing Holiday meal; turkeys, a food voucher to purchase perishables and canned goods collected by our local business, stores, churches, and San Lorenzo Valley and Scotts Valley food drives. Joy and relief are seen on their faces.

As fathers, mothers and grandparents continue on to Santa’s Workshop many weep openly as volunteers present them with brightly wrapped new gifts for the children, based on their letter to Santa. You did this by picking up a stocking at local Post Offices and businesses and fulfilling a child’s wish.

At the food pantry San Lorenzo Valley and Scotts Valley Grey Bears and mobile seniors line up to pickup the beautifully hand decorated boxes with senior gifts and food while volunteers deliver and make a friendly visit to shut-in seniors.

Our 99% volunteer elves work their magic seven days a week beginning October 1. They weave their caring and sharing into a magical tapestry of sacrifice that ensures every needy person here will feel the true meaning of Christmas.

This has been a tough year for all of us economy wise. But at this glorious time of year we are more spiritually reminded, “It is more blessed to give than receive.”

Won’t you please write a check today? Or Call to donate by credit card. Fill out the enclosed form to volunteer, adopt a family or senior, bake cookies, pickup or deliver gifts.

May God Bless you!
Merry Christmas,

Annette Marcum – Director & Founder

Here is a list of other participating photographers:
Kristel Wyman
Think Photographics
Andrea Murphy Photography
Tracey L Heppner
David Redding

If you are a photographer doing Cans for Comments as well, just make sure to pipe up in the comments of this post and I will add you to the list.