TPRF Gives US$40,000 to America’s Second Harvest to Aid U.S. Midwest Residents Caught in Floods
America’s Second Harvest delivers aid to communities in five states

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Los Angeles, July 2008 — The Prem Rawat Foundation (TPRF) has granted America's Second Harvest – The Nation’s Food Bank Network US$40,000 to provide food and water to those stricken by recent flooding in the Midwest. America's Second Harvest, the largest charitable domestic hunger-relief organization in the United States, will use this grant to work closely with local food banks to bring food and water to those affected by floods, many of whom have been forced to evacuate their homes.

“Thousands of homes, farms, businesses and jobs have been lost,” says TPRF President Linda Pascotto. “Lives have been threatened and disrupted by this ongoing disaster.”

While recent storms have caused extensive damage throughout several states in the Midwest region, Iowa remains one of the hardest hit with 83 of its 99 counties declared disaster areas. From 35,000 to 40,000 Iowa residents have fled their homes and farms as floodwaters surged over nearby levees. Supplies remain scarce, and many people are still in dire need of both fresh food and clean water. TPRF's grant will enable relief efforts throughout the region, helping to facilitate the transportation of goods to local food banks currently supporting displaced people.

For every dollar donated, America’s Second Harvest provides 16 meals to Americans in need.

According to ASH, even after the initial recovery period, it is expected that the need for food will be ongoing. Individuals without adequate flood insurance will be facing significant financial hardships in the coming months as they clean and rebuild their homes. In addition, individuals whose livelihoods were affected by the floods—such as those whose crops or livestock were destroyed—will also be facing economic difficulties. Many of these individuals will turn to ASH food banks and their network of food pantries and soup kitchens for help. 

“We are extremely grateful for The Prem Rawat Foundation’s interest in supporting our efforts to respond to the unprecedented flooding in the Midwest,” states Vicki Escarra, President and CEO of America’s Second Harvest.

One of America’s Second Harvest’s Members is the Houston Food Bank (HFB), which was the recipient of a TPRF grant of $125,000 to provide food for evacuees of Hurricane Katrina in the U.S. in 2005 and $50,000 to provide over 80,000 meals for at-risk children at the HFB’s Kids Café earlier this year.

Photos Courtesy of America’s Second Harvest