The Family Store at the Chapin family's official website offers many items that are sure to please the Chapin fan in anyone's life. Be sure to check out the new "Harry Keep The Change" T-shirt, the "Essentials" compilation CD and the "Sequel" re-release. Proceeds from these sales benefit the Harry Chapin Foundation. To order go to harrychapinmusic.com.

Native Seeds is an organization that works to preserve and distribute seeds important to the cultures of the American Southwest and northern Mexico. To support its work, the organization sells a variety of gift baskets and crafts sure to please anyone on your gift list. Take a look at their blue corn basket and the healthy foods sampler and variety of baskets and bowls at nativeseeds.org

The Chicago, Illinois-based organization The Enterprising Kitchen helps women attain self-sufficiency by working in its business that produces specialty soap products. Consider pampering yourself or your loved ones by purchasing their hand and body soaps or gift assortments this season. theenterprisingkitchen.org

Native Harvest's mission is to facilitate recovery of the White Earth Indian Reservation and to preserve the native culture there. Support this work by purchasing maple syrup products, jellies and jams, fruit teas and gift baskets. nativeharvest.com

The Colorado-based Women's Bean Project seeks to help women overcome chronic unemployment by providing skill-building opportunities in a safe and accepting work environment. Bean soup mixes and gift baskets are produced by these women and support the organization's mission. womensbeanproject.com

Profits from the Greyston Bakery are used by its Foundation to support community housing, child care, health care and a computer learning center. For anyone with a sweet tooth, consider their award-winning gourmet cakes, tarts, cookies and brownies. buycake.com.

SERRV International aims to help struggling artisans around the world to become self-sufficient by providing a market for their wares. This is accomplished in part through its website and extensive catalog of gift items, home décor and other products. If you're looking for jewelry, scarves, tea sets, game boards, baskets, boxes and myriad other items, check out serrv.org

A unique item for Rhode Islanders who are Mr. Potato Head collectors comes from Circle! reader Edward Ward of the Hasbro Corp., co-sponsor of the project. Hasbro and the State of Rhode Island are selling a special license plate depicting the popular toy figure to benefit the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. It costs $40 plus the regular cost for registration, and half of the proceeds go directly to the food bank. For more information or to order the license plate, go to rifoodbank.org/potatoform.htm.

Countless organizations working to end hunger and poverty can use your time and talents, one of the greatest gifts all of us can give. Habitat For Humanity, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization has built more than 150,000 safe and affordable homes around the world since its founding in 1976. To find out how to get involved in one of Habitat's current projects, see their website at habitat.org

Photo by Kim MacDonald

As we've reported in other issues of "Circle!" some of Harry's fans already have experienced the rewards of lending a hand to their local food bank. Increased food donations to and need for food at holiday time makes this an ideal time to get involved. Second Harvest makes it easy to connect with a food bank in your area through its online volunteer matching program at secondharvest.volunteermatch.org

All of the above organizations will make good use of your financial gifts all year long. Give for yourself, your family or friends whatever your budget will allow through the above websites. To give to World Hunger Year, go to worldhungeryear.org. They will thank you and we do, too.

Happy Holidays!