Suisman Shapiro Team and Families Assist with Help For Haiti: One Meal at a Time event at Fitch High School

285,000 Meals and Counting

by Abigail Pheiffer
The Day

Kathleen Hanson, left, of Mystic, and Peter Berard, center, of Old Mystic, pack meals for Haitians during the Hope for Haiti: One Meal at a Time event Saturday, April 24, 2010, at Fitch High School in Groton. More than 1,200 volunteers packed more than 285,000 meals during the day. Each nutrient-balanced meal consists of beans, rice, soy and vitamins and can be quickly cooked in boiling water. The event was a joint effort among the Salvation Army, Jon Shaffer and Numana, a nonprofit, international hunger-relief organization.

Shaffer is a Life Scout who coordinated the event as one of his projects to earn him Eagle Scout status. Fitch High School, St. Mary’s Church, Arrow Equipment and Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center all contributed space, time and supplies. The food will be flown to Port-au-Prince, where the Salvation Army will distribute it.

Suisman Shapiro attorneys, staff and their families including Hinda Kimmel, Bryan Fiengo, Matthew Auger, Nancy Zeuli, Carol Coburn, Joanna Lazarus, Robyn Sand and Christine Gravelin volunteered their time for this wonderful community initiative.