Growing up in the New York /New Jersey area, as well as the natural products industry, has taught me many things. First, we are tough survivors and will do what it takes to overcome. With that in mind, we were tested again with perhaps one of our biggest challenges last month when Super Storm Sandy hit our area. Many people lost their homes, cars and items of sentimental value. Relief workers are helping them, but it is not enough.
In our community, many natural products stores and businesses have been hurt or destroyed and need our help. Some have lost all their perishables inventory due to power outages and need to replace them, while others have been completely flooded. Of course, there are those who have been devastated and need to rebuild.
So, WholeFoods Magazine, in cooperation with the Natural Products Association (NPA) and anyone else who wants to join us, are trying to do all we can to help.
If you are a store, manufacturer, distributor or anyone allied in the field in need of help, or you know of someone who does, please let us or NPA know.
NPA has set up a fund to aid victims and whether you are a member or not, we are collecting money to help. Please donate here:
NaturalProductsFoundation.org/Sandy.
Checks can be sent to:
NPA Relief Fund/Sandy
Natural Products Foundation
1773 T Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
Donations in products and goods are welcome as well as financial contributions.
You will see profiles of stores and companies in need as well as those who have helped them rebuild in the pages of WholeFoods Magazine, www.wholefoodsmagazine.com, and at www.
NPAInfo.org.
Please help today; it is an investment in your customers and friends.
We are open to any other ideas and opportunities. Feel free to discuss with me at heatherwainer@wfcinc.com or (908)769-1160, ext. 14, or Gabrielle Alahouzos, NPA vice president of membership, at (202)204-4724 or galahouzos@NPAinfo.org.
We are tough and can overcome, especially with some help from you.
All the best,
Heather Wainer, Publisher of WholeFoods Magazine
Published in WholeFoods Magazine, January 2013 (online 11/19/12)
