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Letter of the Day (Aug. 15): Famine

August 14, 2011 at 11:47PM

In this picture taken Wednesday Aug. 10, 2011, Salat, 5, runs looking for her parents near the IFO camp, north of Dadaab, Eastern Kenya, 100 kms (60 miles) from the Somali border. She was later picked up by her uncle who said he know where her parents were and would reunite them. Some parents fleeing Somalia's devastating famine on foot with as many as seven children in tow have had to make unimaginably cruel choices: Which children have the best chance at survival when there is not enough water for them all? Who will be left behind? It's a gut-wrenching decision that will haunt parents for years. (Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

As we see the haunting pictures and read the horrific stories of the famine in East Africa, we feel an enormous need to help.

The Rice Dinner Project is a very effective means of offering aid. You simply eat a meal of only rice and send the money you saved by not eating a regular meal to the charitable organization of your choice.

The Star Tribune is publishing a list of reputable organizations that are taking donations to fight this crisis. The Rice Dinner Project does not impact your budget.

There are no administrative costs. Your donation goes directly to the charity of your choice. For more information, go to ricedinner.org.

RITA JUHL, MINNEAPOLIS