Following is the latest of my emails from the American Rainbow Rapid Response network: Directors Report Saturday, September 20, 2008 11:32 AM From: "aaronfunk81@hotmail.com" <aaronfunk81@hotmail.com> Add sender to Contacts To: "gaia" <gaiaspiritsumari@yahoo.com> PLEASE FORWARD TO YOUR CONTACTS Dear Friends, First Thank you for reading this letter and your continued support to the project. It has been a rough road in Louisiana, but with patients and tenacity ARRR has overcome . On first arriving in Baton Rouge the pure nature of our prime directive, Do not interfere with the evolution of those you serve, threatened to hinder us from fulling the request of the LA Governors Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. Due to nothing else than the Secular/ Non-Fundamentalist directives of ARRR. Note: This is not to say we are against anything, We put the people first. Simply put, because we refuse to allow or promote any type of proselitization to the public from our organization. We overcame and found the people. HOUMA, LA When we arrived in Houma it was to feed the kind people of Terrebonne Parish who were waiting to receive emergency food stamps. Some 2000 of them daily. However when Hurricane Ike arrived on the Bayou we pressed into service for those left without due to the larger more publicized organizations leaving the area due to the effects of the storm, and creating a gap for us to fill with hot nutritious food. So we went to the people and with the help of the Houma Police Department , we found the unmet need. We ended up feed all the local/state Police, Emergency Responders, Sand Bag crews and all the 5 shelters functioning in Houma. After 4 days of labor intensive cooking the larger organizations returned and were kind enough to arrive before us to every location we served and get us relieved of service in Terrebonne Parish. The LA Sates Attorney has found it an appealing story of which his interest is needed. In the 4 days we provided 13,600 servings And worked an estimated 1100 man hours. And had to buy nearly every piece of food out of pocket. Not from the organization , but from our volunteers. Why did the do that ? Because it was the right thing to do for your neighbor. totaling some $6000-8000. Now we push on to Texas. And thanks to Organic Valley Farms, Conscious Alliance and Whole Foods we are well stocked to provide mostly organic meals to those effected for the first few days. And thanks to you, we are starting to get donations. However we still have a tremendous need for contributions, and will most likely have to buy much of the food we provide. Texas has let it be known that it is very unlikely we will receive any supply/support from the state due to the size and scope of the catastrophy, a failing economy and Ol' Mother Hubbards Cupboard (Food Banks) working at a deficiency months prior to the storm. So please contribute the best you can, sometimes that $5 you give can feed a whole family a plate of hot Organic Food. And replace the common standard of a can of Beefaroni, cookies and a pouch of powdered milk. Which is what they can expect for weeks, this is the United States of America, we can do better. There is a massive need for volunteers and donations as soon as we land today in Texas. We are hitting the ground with 7 hardcore Vols. Join the team ! If you have ever had it in you mind to volunteer, do it now. We need you. Volunteering is the muscle, but however painful it may seem, Donating is the blood. Please donate today. To Donate go to the website www.americanrainbowrapidresponse.org and use the PAYPAL button. Note: you need to create a PAYPAL account to use its service. or call 1-800-335-9941 ext.2 Snail Mail ARRR.INC po box 1648 Asheville, NC 28802 Or e-mail r.proxy@ hotmail.com TO Volunteer Call 1-800-335-9941 ext. 3 or e-mail r.proxy@ hotmail.com And be Patient. PLEASE DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS EMAIL ADDRESS. Send all responses to r.proxy@ hotmail.com Special thanks to Organic Valley Farms, The Conscious Alliance, Whole Foods, Oz Relief, Fat Kids Kitchen, Pandemic Portions, and the Louisiana Governors Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. And to our Hero's in the field... Pan, Benji, Mari, Shane, Ryan, Ramon, Aslan, Shanda, Kali, Chad, Brian, Roger, Matt, Seth, Sacha, Rory, Jimmy, Tornado, and Steve. And to Serene and Krystal for their awesome and formidable Volunteer Coordination. Thanks Everybody ! Aaron Funk Executive Director http://s269.photobucket.com/albums/jj51/theaaronfunk/?action=view¤t=FSCN0991.jpg http://s269.photobucket.com/albums/jj51/theaaronfunk/?action=view¤t=FSCN0990.jpg http://s269.photobucket.com/albums/jj51/theaaronfunk/?action=view¤t=FSCN0987.jpg http://s269.photobucket.com/albums/jj51/theaaronfunk/?action=view¤t=FSCN0972.jpg http://s269.photobucket.com/albums/jj51/theaaronfunk/?action=view¤t=DSCN1018.jpg http://s269.photobucket.com/albums/jj51/theaaronfunk/?action=view¤t=DSCN0998.jpg http://s269.photobucket.com/albums/jj51/theaaronfunk/?action=view¤t=DSCN0997.jpg http://s269.photobucket.com/albums/jj51/theaaronfunk/?action=view¤t=DSCN0996.jpg http://s269.photobucket.com/albums/jj51/theaaronfunk/?action=view¤t=DSCN0982.jpg
i as hoping it was that shanda..love you shanda gaia do u know where in texas they landed? im thinking i can get at least 2 or 3 more volinteers very easily..
LMAO.... but made good reading eh? The have been quite busy and definitely spreading the positive aspect to equal out all of the negativity brought down there More power to them!
It ACTUALLY is. But in Fairness...... I believe they TRULY mean well. PR PS (Yes Trolls, I've known this Family for ions!!!!)
after posting this as a myspace buliten i got this responce from 1 brother while ARRR can always use some green energy, this particular kitchen has done come and gone. but we did get a wonderful commendation from the governor's office for feeding through hurricane ike, when the "big boys" ran for the hills. from there we went to bridge city, tx. we could have used some volunteers big time. with approximately 10 people we served a little over 13,600 in 4 days while in houma. i haven't calculated the numbers for bridge city, tx yet, but were averaging around 1,200 to 1,600 a day. (name edited out they do not like being mentioned online..just think opposite of nobodys) kitchen is going to Pont de Chene south of houma in the near future, but not set up as of yet. (name removed) tells me if all goes well, they will be feeding at the beginning of this week. he also told me they are teaming up with felipe's kitchen. i'm sure they can use some help in the cash and volunteer areas. i should be talking with him in a few days. i'll give you a heads up when i get all the details. ive been around the unnamed kitchen for years and seen how they helped transform underpyiveledge neighbourhoods all across the country wether theres a disaster or not theyve dedicated many years of theyre lives to helping those who need help most if not all of theyre funding comes out of theyre pockets, doing roofing jobs here and there to support keeping the kitchen riunning and sharing the best damn free food u ever had much love and respect to everybelly
