Fighting Hunger. Feeding Hope.
January 20, 2010

State-side Relief for Haiti

Author: Dave Krepcho

Although we are not chartered as an organization to do international relief, we found ourselves very busy these past few days in helping with the Haitian relief effort – domestically.

We have already provided five truckloads of food and beverages working alongside Department of Children & Families at Sanford International Airport. The first food these Haitian U.S. citizens receive when on U.S. soil is directly from Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. We do not know what to anticipate when the refugee population starts to arrive in the U.S. and its impact on Central Florida.

The folks were so grateful for the food and also to be out of harm’s way. When I had the chance to provide food to the flight crew of the C-17 military transport in the middle of Saturday night, it was certainly one of those “mission moments” I’ll never forget.

To see our military being used for humanitarian reasons was very heartwarming. And to see that the average age of the nine member flight crew was about 27 years old was really a surprise!

That crew could not have been more polite and respectful despite flying for hours and under pressure to get back to Port Au Prince quickly. It made me proud to be an American.

Below are some pictures:

Waiting the arrival of the first Military transport filled with hundreds of people from Port Au Prince.

Waiting the arrival of the first Military transport filled with hundreds of people from Port Au Prince.A diversity of ages arrive ranging from orpaned babies to senior citizens.

Expressions of hope, exhaustion or just dazed by the experience.

Expressions of hope, exhaustion or just dazed by the experience.

Bonsoir madame. People were so grateful for the airlift.

Bonsoir madame. People were so grateful for the airlift.

Haitians being greeted on the tarmac.

Haitians being greeted on the tarmac.

Second Harvest Food Bank volunteers John and Rob. It was a 20 - hour day of disaster relief.

Second Harvest Food Bank volunteers John and Rob. It was a 20 - hour day of disaster relief.

Collaboration with our great partners, Dept. of Children & Families, made this relief effort successful.

Collaboration with our great partners, Dept. of Children & Families, made this relief effort successful.

The first food they enjoyed on U.S. soil proudly provided by Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida

The first food they enjoyed on U.S. soil proudly provided by Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida

Military transport plane at Sanford Intl. Airport. Arriving throughout the week from Port Au Prince.

Military transport plane at Sanford Intl. Airport. Arriving throughout the week from Port Au Prince.

Dave after feeding the crew of the C-17 Military transport plane. Proud to be an American. (average age of the crew: 27 years old, excluding Dave!)

Dave after feeding the crew of the C-17 Military transport plane. Proud to be an American. (average age of the crew: 27 years old, excluding Dave!)

Second Harvest, A Feeding America Member: On site providing relief within hours.

Second Harvest, A Feeding America Member: On site providing relief within hours.

Dave Krepcho
President/CEO
Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida

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