W H AT ’ S I N S I D E Food Bank. . . . . . . . . . 2 Our Children Our Future . . . 2 Rebuilding Communities. . . . . 3 Volunteering . . . . . . . . . . .3 Food Bank . . . . . . . . . . .4
matters
HUMANITY
RESTORING COMMUNITIES • BUILDING A FUTURE
SPRING ISSUE | 2011
JAPAN TSUNAMI: Humanity First Disaster Relief Efforts
URGENT
D O N A T IO N S
NEEDED
Humanity First immediately responded with its relief efforts after an earthquake of magnitude 8.9 struck off the north east coast of Japan at 14:46 local time on Friday, March 11, 2011 triggering a huge tsunami which struck the east coast of Japan. The official death-toll is now 13,456 people, and 14,851 are registered as missing presumed dead. 150,000 people are still displaced. Our first responder team from Nagoya began its relief operations and took 3 trucks of food and water supplies to the affected area, initially working in Koriyama. After discussions with local authorities, Humanity First Disaster Relief team were given responsibility for the Iwagiri Junior High School evacuation centre in Sendai from where the team was distributing hot food, water and blankets to 560-650 displaced people every day. At the same time, in Chiba prefecture near Tokyo, in part of the city of Ichikawa, the Humanity First teams provided hot food to neighbours on a daily basis for the first two weeks. In the next phase in April, the team was asked to run the Minato Shogako evacuation centre in Ishinomaki where the disaster relief teams are providing two hot meals and other relief supplies to 1000 people on daily basis. The relief work is still up and running into May at the Ishinomaki evacuation camp serving the Tsunami victims staying there. A team of over 110 (including 56 in Japan) has been involved in this operation so far, liaising with the UN and authorities, arranging for supplies, raising funds and deployed to affected areas. Since the start of the disaster, the team has delivered over 60,000 hot meals, sanitary supplies and bottled water to the refugees.
VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION NIGHT | Celebrating the Gems of Our Community umanity First held a volunteer appreciation event in recognition of the prolonged services of their food delivery volunteers, who have been delivering food to families without transportation across the GTA, for the past six years. Humanity First has an extensive delivery management team comprised of dedicated and selfless volunteers, who sacrificed their time and effort to help
put food on the table, rain or shine. The night was filled with presentations... (Continued on page 3)
FOOD BANK: Sutton Youth Shelter Lunch In order to fulfill their social responsibility towards the vulnerable members of the community, a team of selfless volunteers took their regular volunteer routine one step further by preparing food for those who are struggling to get a hot meal.
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The team did not simply drop off food donations and canned food items; rather they prepared, cooked and served a hot meal, along with dessert. Volunteers received raving reviews about the lunch and their kind services from the residents and staff members. Humanity First relies heavily on volunteers, monetary and in-kind donations to provide these services. The event also became a springboard for building awareness and networking between Salvation Army and Humanity First. Humanity First introduced all of its program and services to the staff
The donation of your time and your support, and the willingness to support youth in a positive way has been a pleasant change for many young men and women who access our doors.
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enerosity is the willingness to give without being asked. This belief was truly demonstrated by a team of Humanity First volunteers, while serving a nutritious lunch at the Salvation Army Youth Shelter in Sutton, Georgina. Sutton Youth shelter, located 74km north of Humanity First Food Bank, is a drop-in center for youth experiencing homelessness, or at risk of homelessness in the northern part of York Region.
and residents, as well as detailed information regarding food bank services to the Sutton Youth Shelter authorities, in order to meet any local resident needs in the Georgina area.
OUR CHILDREN OUR FUTURE: Breaking the Barrier with Books Humanity First extended its hands to children at Teston Village Public School in Maple, Ontario by sponsoring books for its school library’s dual language section, which was a dire need for its large bilingual student population. It helped to expand the school’s presently modest dual language book collection. The school librarian Mrs. Katherine Billard, realizing the need of a large bilingual population said that these books greatly supports the linguistic and cognitive development of English for new learners and engages their families in their learning through reading with them. Children who read in their native language and see the translation side by side become proficient in both languages with less effort. Humanity First Our-Children Our-Future program opens gateways for children of low income families and schools in need of resources to improve their academic performance. Humanity First takes yet another step towards granting every child, every opportunity, every day. Humanity First is grateful to the many that have donated, but continues to appeal to individuals and businesses to donate generously to help the suffering people of Pakistan.
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Disaster in the Making
FOCUS BRAZIL:
Chairman’s Message | Dr. Aslam Daud
Relief Efforts Continue
ecently the world has seen many large scale disasters. Scientists predict that this trend is going to continue for some time due to shifts in tectonic plates and other factors affecting the earth and its environment. Mother nature will pounce again with its might and human beings would not be able to do much about it in advance. However, there is another disaster in the making very slowly but steadily with rising gas prices around the world. Increase in gas prices affect almost every commodity in the world. Most impacted are the low income and poor people who have to choose between one necessity of life over the other. Human suffering is common between both disasters. Sometime it is sudden death and destruction and other times it is disease, hunger, poverty and deprivation from basic necessities of life. Humanity First cannot prevent either from happening – but we can help those in need by reducing the impact and assist in improving the quality of life. This is all possible because of you – the human being with passion for humanity. Without you, Humanity First cannot make that difference. Your generous support, sponsorship and volunteering with Humanity First has helped suffering humanity and made the difference in the lives of thousands around the world. During the last one year Humanity First Canada has drilled 110 water wells bring clean water to thousands. In Canada, we have started the “Seniors First” program to help senior citizens feel healthy and involved in the community.
In January of 2011, severe floods and mud slides occurred, reporting to be one of the deadliest disasters in Brazil in over 40 years. Humanity First Canada responded immediately, dispatching a disaster relief team to Petropolis city. Humanity First arranged for the most needed items (not provided by other organizations), for families and children affected by the disaster. Humanity First provided the following relief aid: 70 kitchen kits, 500 new clothing for women, children and men, over 300 gift packs to kids (including snacks and toys) and school kits for children.
Your support is always needed. Join us as a supporter, donor, volunteer or a leader.
Volunteer Appreciation Night (Continued from cover page)... guest speakers, and moving testimonials of the recipients. Member of Parliament and Minister for State for Seniors, Honourable Julian Fantino, graced the event and addressed the attendees. Appreciation awards were presented to the most outstanding and devoted volunteers, followed by a dinner. Humanity First extends a heartfelt gratitude to all of the volunteers who have been filling the gap of transportation barriers, and have been driving daily necessities to the doorsteps of those in need.
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VOLUNTEERS
NEEDED. JOIN US TODAY!
FOOD BANK | Westervelts Corners Public School Food Drive Westervelts Corners Public School in Brampton conducted a food drive from April 26 - April 30. Families were given one week’s time to donate food for the families needing food support. The April showers of generosity blossomed fruitful results, as staff, children and families responded well to the call of Humanity First Feed a Family program and donated generously.
Humanity First would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the food drive coordinator, Felicia Guy-Lynch, a student of York university, a resident of Brampton and a passionate volunteer for taking this initiative and coordinating the drive at Westervelts Corners Public School. We look forward to her next adventure of giving back to community through Humanity First!
Through its Feed a Family program, Humanity First is supporting new immigrants, refugees, and families and individuals facing financial constraints. The donations and support received from our local communities are vital to ensuring we can provide food and resources to the thousands of individuals and families across the GTA who rely on us to meet their dietary needs.
The BEST Charity is to
FEED AN EMPTY STOMAC We invite students and community volunteers to take the lead in conducting food drives at schools and educational institutions and get everyone to become a helping hand in our fight against hunger. Join us for a great learning and
wish
FOOD BANK LIST: Canned Meat, Canned Fruits, Canned Vegetables, Canned and Dry Soups, Oil, Peanut Butter, Juices, Kraft Dinner & Instant Food, and Snacks & Cookies. PLEASE DONATE TODAY!
P DO T
Pledge Form Yes! I/we would like to donate to Humanity First. Proceeds will write name of project or program go to ____________________________________________.
NAME __________________________________________________ ORGANIZATION ____________________________________________ ADDRESS ________________________________________________
CREDIT CARD TYPE: Visa MasterCard
American Express
Feed aOtherfamily $50 $100 $ ____________
Please accept my gift of: $10
$25
DONATE TODAY !
Humanity puts food on the table of those who need This is a: First Monthly Donation One-time Donation Support Humanity First in feeding the hungry. Donate gener
APT# ________ CITY ____________________________________ PROVINCE _____________________ POSTAL CODE ___________________
CREDIT CARD ACCOUNT # __________________________________________
(M M / Y Food Y Y Y ) Bank, through CREDIT CARD EXPIRY DATE _______________________ CVD# ____________ initiative of Humanity First which food is deliv doorsteps ofNAME the(as itneedy and The recipients are people who FAX ( ) ___________________________________________ appears on Credit Card)disabled. ______________________________________ EMAIL __________________________________________________ challenges in DONATION their daily and cannot reach the Food Bank due AMOUNT sustenance, $ ______________________________________________ PAYMENT METHOD disability or lack of available transport. Most of these are without st CARD HOLDER SIGNATURE _________________________ DATE people ______________ Cash Cheque Credit Card battling abuse,Please single parents, under debt, bed ridden fax, email or mail students the completed form to: 416.440.0346 or info@patients I would prefer to pay by credit card (I have provided my information) humanityfirst.ca or 245 Bowes Road, Unit 1 Concord, Ontario L4K 1H8 equipped for regular employment.
TELEPHONE (
A unique ) ______________________________________
*Please make cheques payable to Humanity First
To donate: CALL , CLICK COME No Questions ! Non-Perishable Food for aor Month Asked
Food Delivered t
To comment on these articles or to make suggestions, please contact us at: info@humanityfirst.ca To donate, visit www.humanityfirst.ca or call Humanity First is a registered international non-profit charitable and humanitarian relief 245 Bowes Rd., Unit 1, Concord, ON L4K 1H8 organization that aims to mitigate hunger, poverty and disease among the less privileged human beings around the world and strives to reduce peoples sufferings caused by natural Tel/Fax: 416.440.0346 disasters or human conflicts. Humanity First provides support to communities at a national Email: info@humanityfirst.ca and international level. Our organization invests in issues a that matter the most, in order to Restoring Communities, Building Future strengthen communities and give humanity a chance to exceed their potential and help build Web: www.humanityfirst.ca for a brighter future. Charity Registration No: 87254 1040 RR0001
HumanityFirst CANADA
Restoring Communities, Building a Future Charity Registration No: 87254 1040 RR0001
416.4
245 Bowes Rd., Concord, ON L4K 1H8 Tel/Fax: 416.440.0346 Email: info@humanityfirst.ca Web: www.humanityfirst.ca
Humanity First is a registered international non-profit charitable and humanitarian relief organization that aims to mitigate hunger, poverty an the less privileged human beings around the world and strives to reduce peoples sufferings caused by natural disasters or human c