Published: 09-19-08
Rep. Debbie Riddle & Women Leaders Coordinate Houston Relief Efforts
HOUSTON Texas September 18 2008 - With food and water scarce in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike’s assault on Texas State Representative Debbie Riddle (R-Houston) Robin Read President & CEO of the National Foundation of Women Legislators (NFWL) Connie Whitaker Board President of Nourish America Mary Morton Program Director of Nourish America and Mary Wong President of the Office Depot Foundation have teamed up to bring much-needed relief supplies to the Houston area.
Riddle together with NFWL the Office Depot Foundation and Nourish America created a unique coordinated effort to provide life-sustaining supplies to those in need.
Thanks to the coordinated efforts of these women the Office Depot Foundation arranged for a truckload full of supplies containing food and hygiene items to be delivered this morning to the Office Depot store located at 14424 FM 2920 in Tomball Texas. Riddle also secured ice and water from the county. Cars were lined-up up for miles waiting to enter the Office Depot parking lot. Thousands of local residents received desperately needed supplies.
Nourish America has secured a donation of vitamin enhanced water to be distributed tomorrow at a location to be determined and several shipments of supplies to be delivered early next week.
“We appreciate the rapid assistance we have received from the National Foundation for Women Legislators the Office Depot Foundation and Nourish America in response to the catastrophic events of the past few days” says Riddle. “These organizations have stepped up to the plate quickly and generously.”
The 5 women leaders joined forces over the weekend just before the storm hit Texas to figure out the best way to use their resources to assist in relief efforts. The women have convened frequently via telephone since Friday forging an active partnership between the public and private sectors which has proven to be crucial during this time of need in Texas. The women leaders in their respective organizations attribute their success to open and frequent lines of communication.
Nourish America works to improve the health of children families and seniors in need in America by providing healthy supplements and nourishing foods and has secured and shipped supplies to aid in this coordinated relief effort.
The National Foundation for Women Legislators empowers elected women at all levels of government and works to provide them with the resources they need to meet the needs of their constituents. Riddle is NFWL’s Team Leader for Texas and is working with the Foundation to maintain open lines of communication between all elected officials and business leaders in the affected areas to address critical needs.
The Office Depot Foundation assists with immediate relief efforts following natural disasters by supporting national non-profit organizations working in the affected areas. The Foundation also is strongly focused on helping communities and businesses with their ongoing efforts to rebuild after the immediate crisis has passed.
Businesses in need of assistance as well as those who want to help others with recovery are encouraged to call the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center’s National Disaster Help Desk for Business at 1-888-MY-BIZ-HELP or to e-mail the Help Desk at bclchelpdesk@uschamber.com.
