Since the devastating earthquake in Haiti occurred, millions around the world have united to bring aid to Haiti. One way to help is by bringing a bag of rice and two dollars to campus.

Heart to Heart Haiti, a humanitarian relief effort organization, plans to ship 10 relief containers to Haiti and is off to an encouraging start so far. Five containers of food consisting of more than 100 tons of flour, oats, granola bars and Gatorade have been pledged and donated from corporate supporters to date.

Trinity Western University has been working with Heart to Heart Haiti since the first TWU mission team went to Grand Goave in 1996.
John Neufeld, director of Heart to Heart Haiti, said it would be a great support if TWU would get involved since TWU has deep connections with the orphanage in Grand Goave, about 40 minutes from Port-au-Prince.

“The best way that TWU could get involved,” said Neufeld, “is to do the rice and a toonie fundraiser.”

When asking President John Raymond how students could fundraise for Haiti, he agreed with Heart to Heart Haiti’s purpose, and said, “let me look it over with our leadership team and we will think of
something.”

Now Raymond has agreed to allow TWU students to have rice drop off locations around campus. Students are asked, but not required, to drop off a bag of rice and tape a toonie to the top of it. The two dollars contribute to shipping costs and the rice helps feed the people of Haiti.

“With every dollar we raise we will be able to double our efforts. The cost to ship one container is $10,000 so a total of $100,000 is needed to send the additional aid,” said Neufeld.  

Heart to Heart Haiti is asking communities of the Lower Mainland’s businesses, organizations, churches and individuals for help in this relief effort. Since the Canadian government has pledged to match donations made to charities that are helping in Haiti, financial donations are best.

“Churches have been supporting us from all over the Lower Mainland,” said Neufeld. “Every dollar raised goes.”

The city of Abbotsford has jumped on board in a significant way by participating with the rice or food bucket programs. The Abbotsford school districts, with the participation of all public schools, are also collecting donations of rice and a toonie.

Donations can be dropped off in bins around campus that say Heart to Heart Haiti on them or made online at hearttohearthaiti.com.