What does "food insecurity" mean?
In a word, starvation. That word has been used so much over the years, that people have become desensitized and immune to its meaning. Groups like the UN, Catholic Relief Services, and many news outlets have gone to using the more descriptive term "food insecurity". Food insecurity is the limited or unknown availability of nutritional and safe foods for everyone in a household to meet their basic needs. It exists worldwide to varying degrees. Haiti's food insecurity is acute, the worst in this hemisphere.
What are the consequences of food insecurity?
Without healthy and accessible food adults often become sick, and cannot work and care for their families. Children are disproportionately affected by hunger; childhood malnutrition has devastating lifelong effects. Growth can be stunted. Anemia, causing dizziness, shortness of breath, and fatigue will impact their lives. It will impact their ability to learn and retain knowledge. It also makes them susceptible to many illnesses.
Who is mostly affected by food insecurity?
Usually, it is the poorest of the poor. This is the majority of who RMI ministers to. However, recently this extreme hunger has affected the average Haitian, even those who have jobs. Haitians simply can't afford what food there is. Gangs have blocked the roads in the capital, bringing the transportation of food, fuel, and supplies to a grinding halt. Food is just not accessible. Fuel can only be bought on the black market for $20+ a gallon.
This makes RMI’s fall food drive especially timely. The gift of a box of food can be a lifesaver for a family (Each of our food boxes contains 216 meals. This is enough food to feed a family of 6 for an entire month.)! This year we are able to offer the following:
1. Order 10 cases of food ($35 each) and get one FREE. We will automatically add 1 additional case of food to your gift.
2. Order 10 cases of food with OIL ($45 each) and get one FREE. We will automatically add one additional case of food with OIL to your gift.
To order, visit our website at www.RMIbridge.org or mail a check payable to RMI to 5475 Lee St. Suite 301, Lehigh Acres, 33971. You may also call the office to place your order at 877-764-5439. This offer is valid through 12/31/2022.
Help us minister to our brothers and sisters in Haiti with the gift of food for their families.
** News Alert! **
Haitian schools are to open on November 7! Pray that peace reigns and this is allowed to happen.
RMI staff will begin to surreptitiously distribute the Hot Lunch Program food to the schools in small unmarked trucks this coming week. Pray for the safety of the staff and vehicles.
