Eye-opening story about food relief in NO.

[smartvoter]

Through professional ties, I was exposed to details two days ago indicating that Papa Johns was trying to set up some food stations and the Red Cross rejected their offer to set up at their stations, saying they'll take money but not food. The company couldn't send trucks or arbitrarily set up its own stations without protection and the Guard was already overtaxed.

Today, I read that Papa Johns announced that 1,000 volunteers are serving refugees set up in Houston, so they found a way to help. They also have designated two 18 wheelers to distribute water and things around affected areas. And they set up a $50k matching fund for Red Cross donations.

This has to make you wonder how many other organizations have tried to help but can't because there's no security and established relief groups do it "their way."

Note: Not Red Cross bashing -- I'm sure that in a time of crisis they don't want to deviate from what they know works. It just woke me up a little to what a challenge it can be to deal with these scenarios. Even when you have a major relief contributor, you may not get what's being donated.

[Gunit_Sangh]

1. Papa John's is my pizza of choice from now on

[ihaveaquestion]

6. My son used to work for Papa John's

Good pizza, but... it's a very conservative company and the owner is such a racist that they actually would ask the employees of color (particularly blacks) to be absent on the days he might visit the store.

[smartvoter]

8. Okay. That is seriously f***ed up. nt

[punpirate]

2. Maybe if Papa John's hadn't spent all that money...

... trying to get Bush and other `pugs re-elected....

[MidnightWind]

3. It's why I won't donate to the Red Cross-

I've heard too many stories of them taking too long about deciding where they need to spend the money that is donated to them while people go hungry.

[Hubert Flottz]

12. I do know about the Salvation Army and the United Way and I...

don't have much respect for either. The unfortunate people who you donate the money to help, don't get much of a cut, after all the administrators and middle men get their cut. I've worked right with them both and I know what they do. Government is not the only place in America, where you'll find unscrupulous thieves, self promoting assholes and people rewarding each other for shady deals. Parasites are anywhere there is a drop of blood to suck.

If you don't believe me do some research on the United Way sometime. And what I saw out of the Salvation Army made the United Way look like saints! I've done volunteer work for them for years, but no more! They fooled me at first, like they do most people, but I wised up after I saw the real deal. EASY money, IS the root of all Evil!

Flame away if you must, but you go work with those do-gooders awhile and you'll find out I'm not lying. I have nothing at all to gain, from lying to you about this. I'm not saying that everyone in those organizations aren't in it to really help people. But you have a lot of bad apples in all walks of life.

[FlaGranny]

4. Why the hell are they not dropping food and water

to those in NO. The military is set up to do that. They do it all the time. Why in the world are they not doing that?

In addition, I've heard them say they cannot reach some areas by boat because of debris in the water. This is Louisiana, people - airboats?

I'm starting to get very angry about this. People are standing around in large groups with no food or water. It's not that difficult to get some to them.

[livetohike]

5. I volunteered during the wildfires out here in San Diego County

two years ago. FEMA, the Red Cross and others coordinated to get supplies to people.

There were relief centers set up. The Red Cross had a huge tent and there were piles of supplies. I helped distribute everything. Anyone could donate whatever. For example, there were stacks of cases of bottled water, packaged foods, even dog food was donated by people.

It took time to get the relief centers up and running. Overall, I was impressed, but I wasn't directly affected and in need.

The Red Cross had piles of blankets, pillows, sheets, dishes/silverware,hats, underwear, packets of toiletries,etc. All new items that they have in storage for these disasters.

FEMA had tables set up where people could apply for federal assistance. The county government had reps there too.

[roguevalley]

7. god bless papa johns. my choice also.

[auntAgonist]

9. I understand your feelings ...

We had stopped buying Papa Johns Pizza a while back because of "buy blue's" designation

"Papa John's currently has a 16% BuyBlue rating due to political contributions for the 2003-2004 election cycle. Papa John's executives contributed a small amount of money to mostly Republican politicians. Papa John's does not have a political action committee."

http://buyblue.org/detail.php?corpId=301

we may just have to reconsider. In times of need, true colours seem to emerge.

:)

[driver8]

10. That is very cool of Papa John's...but I still won't eat their pizza.

One reason is because of their political support. The other reason is, their pizza just plain sucks.

However, they are helping out and that is great.

[smartvoter]

11. Yeah. I don't like the sauce. My kids love it, though. nt

[crispini]

13. This sentence is very telling:

"The company couldn't send trucks or arbitrarily set up its own stations without protection and the Guard was already overtaxed."

People are talking about thinking outside the box but it seems that there is only so much of that you CAN do.

And unfortunately, the box is FULL.

[smartvoter]

14. Very true. nt