GrandHavenTribune.com
Grand Haven, Michigan

"IA ships 8,064 meals to Arizona reservation"

Wed, Nov 24, 2010

SPRING LAKE TOWNSHIP — International Aid recently delivered its first frozen food delivery to poverty-stricken American Indian communities in Arizona.

A total of 8,064 dinners were expected arrive to the reservation in time for the Thanksgiving Day holiday.

The meals consist of chicken and dumplings with a side of vegetables.

Frozen food is extremely valuable on the reservations because of its high nutritional value and heartier supply of food, IA officials say. However, it is difficult to distribute due to the need to keep it frozen while on the way to the reservation. Likewise, many charities cannot accept this type of donation due to an inability to keep large quantities of food frozen, according to IA officials.

By working through logistics with IA donors and National Relief Charities, the Spring Lake Township-based Christian relief agency was able to secure a refrigerated trailer to transport the dinners to the Arizona reservation in time for Thanksgiving dinner.

"Sending frozen foods is a new opportunity for IA to help the poor and needy in a different aspect," said Deb Null, a member of IA's Health Products Team. "The ability to work with NRC directly to the tables of the beneficiaries who will have a hot meal on Thanksgiving is truly a blessing."

Working with National Relief Charities, IA distributes nutritional products to Indian reservations several times a year. Shipments have included nutritional drinks, food bars, several varieties of vitamins, clothing, over-the-counter medications and various dry nutritional products.

Online: www.internationalaid.org

This story was originally published at http://www.grandhaventribune.com/paid/300782898237679.bsp, and is reposted here with permission.   Download PDF >>