Haiti Relief--How the Food Service Industry is Reaching Out, Part I

When a 7.0 earthquake shook the country of Haiti and caused death tolls to rise to an estimated 200,000 or more, concern and compassion swept our nation. Haiti is only 750 miles southeast of Florida, and our neighbor, the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, needs help. Hopefully, we will be able to answer their call.

After a disaster occurs, the essentials have to be furnished for those dealing with the aftermath of tragedy. The most important of these basics is food, water and shelter. For the next couple of days, we want to focus KaTom’s blog into a three part series on what the foodservice industry is doing to help aid the Haitians. We will explore what has been done to help, projects that are still in progress, and what you, your business, and your customers can do to further the efforts.

Montreal Conference Relief Efforts

The first international conference was held on January 26th in Montreal, Canada to discuss the rebuilding and rehabilitation process to take place in Haiti. Many hope it is the first of many discussions to take place. The meeting was arranged to work toward making sure the necessities are being extended to every person in need. Volunteers have been arranged to administer aid, housing, and shelter. This has been no easy task.

The International Red Cross says that getting aid into this disastrous site has been problematic. Most buildings are no longer standing, and though they try to get relief to everyone, some are not lucky enough to get what they require. The Canadian government is seemingly willing to take charge in Haiti, not only to help in the face of catastrophe, but to assure that in a national disaster, Haiti’s government will be capable of providing relief to its citizens.

That relief will come in the form of a new government structure, but is estimated to take ten years time. As the executive director of Oxfam Canada states, “The root causes of poverty in Haiti did not start with the earthquake.” And as many people saw in the time of Hurricane Katrina, even The United States, with a financial outlook much more positive and an established organization to deal with natural disasters, could not perfectly execute the efforts needed. Any country going through something of this nature needs help.

The Friends of Haiti, an alliance consisting of the United States, Canada, and France are committed to sending agricultural products to help feed the people. They have also started this organization globally, and all people willing to help are invited to join the cause. This is not “The Friends” first trip to Haiti. They realized the country was in peril several years ago, and began making trips in the spring of 2007. Please visit their website www.friendsofhaiti-gb.com to see how you can make a contribution.

Yum! Gives a Hand

Yum! started the Yum Brands’ World Hunger Relief in 2007 to fight worldwide hunger. American’s know them as the company that owns Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut, Long John Silver’s, and A&W. For the residents of Haiti, they are a company that believes in compassion and good will. Yum! has donated one million dollars so far, and pledges to match what their employees donate up to $500,000. 1.4 million employees, friends, and families of the Yum! community have volunteered, and the hours put in adds up to a total of 15 million. Please, visit www.yum.com to see how you can assist them in their efforts.

Who Else is Helping

Florida’s citrus industry is on the move as well. A truck has been donated to pick up supplies from Hale Groves and Indian River citrus fruit packing companies. As Laura Stocker, owner of Beach Fruit, stated, “Individual packers may not be able to come up with $100 they can send to the Red Cross, but they can give a used blanket that can be washed and used as a tent.”

Lime Fresh Mexican Grill in Florida is scheduled to donate 500 cases of water, McDonald’s in Illinois has pledged 500,000 dollars to support the International Red Cross, and Wakefern Food Corp., better known as ShopRite, is said to be donating 250,000 dollars the Red Cross.

No matter what the amount, and no matter what company you choose to donate through, your time, thoughts, and resources are critical to the natives of the earth-shaken, impoverished country of Haiti. We suggest if you don’t know how to get started, get in contact with your local Red Cross shelter, or get on-line to find more information. If your business isn’t starting a program for the donation of relief funds, find out how you can start one. For additional ideas on how to become involved, we will include more extensive information in the other two parts of our Haiti Relief series here at KaTom. Our hearts go out to the victims of tragedy, and we ask that you consider getting involved with the worldwide project to help our neighbors.