Haiti’s Kids FQA
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why do the children of Haiti need your help? Haiti is one of the poorest nations in the world. According to the UN World food Program, between March and June 2022, 4.5 million Haitians would suffer from severe hunger. Recent earthquakes and hurricanes, coupled with the rising cost of food worldwide have made food unattainable for most of the population, especially children.
How long is a packing shift? Typically, a shift will last 1 ½ to 2 hours. However, you are welcome to stay longer and cover more than one shift.
Do we have to stand the whole time for a shift? Some tasks lend themselves to sitting. However, if you would like to bring a tall stool, you could use that at one of the taller tables.
How many meals are in each pack? six meals per pack
What goes into each pack and how is it packed? Rice, freeze dried vegetables, dried soy protein, chicken flavoring. A typical station involves one person each for adding soy protein, vegetable flakes, chicken flavoring and rice to a bag; two people for placing the plastic bags under the filling funnel (one on each side for better speed); one or two people for weighing the bags and using a heat sealer; and a person who packs and tapes the boxes for two stations.
How heavy are the bulk containers with ingredients that are on the tables? How many strong folks are need to move heavy items (i.e. ingredients and filled boxes?) Normally, each bulk box weighs 33 lbs. We have carts from (Then Feed Just One) TFJO that roll up to the packing tables to load the filled and taped boxes. They are then brought over to pallets, where a portable floor jack can haul the stacked pallets outside. Some people can handle the short distance these boxes need to be carried.
What is the cost of the project? We estimate $18,500 for the food and $6500 for shipping, for 100,000 meals. 40% more for 140,000 meals. So each meal for 6 would be at a cost of 25 cents.
How will it be transported? Transport will occur in a large container and sent by ship to Cap-Haitian a port on the north coast of Haiti.
Who gets the food? All of the packed food will go to the United International Christian Mission School in Haiti. They have about 2000 students at the school from elementary to high school.
With 2 hour shifts how many volunteers do you think are needed? ~400
Can children help with project? Yes, however, any children 12 and under need to be accompanied by an adult.
What about parking? The church has a large parking lot and overflow parking can be found at Fellows School across the street from the church.
What do the support people do?
- Set-up tables and packing materials Friday before the event
- Move food products to stations as needed, day of event
- Check people into the event and assign stations for volunteers
- Help tear down event after packing is done.
- Visit organizations and/or local churches to ask for help in setting up the event or soliciting donations.
- Contact local media to cover the event before and in-action.
- Help distribute brochures to local venues.
- Be an advocate for the program.
From where is the food being purchased? TFJO (Then Just Feed One) will assist in sourcing bulk food for project.
Who do I contact with questions? For questions contact: Charlie Flick 319-290-0346 or email at ames.feed.haiti.kids@gmail.com