Hurricane Katrina Updates
Our thoughts and prayers are with our members and the communities affected by Hurricane Katrina. Here are some relief efforts spearheaded by ACFF to help those in need.
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Fundraising Opportunities
If you would like to make a financial Disaster Relief Donation through the ACFF to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, click here. Money raised will go directly to the ACF chapters in the areas affected by the storm. You may also mail donations (no cash, please) to:
ACFF Disaster Relief
180 Center Place Way
St. Augustine, FL 32095
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Food donation program
Food companies, grocery stores or facilities with a minimum quantity of 60-lbs of surplus food are asked to make a donation to Chef John Folse’s manufacturing facility in Donaldson, LA. Due to limited refrigeration and cooking resources, the main needs are cooked food, dessert items, breakfast foods, proteins and individual servings of pre-wrapped food. Please keep in mind that the recipients are in need of balanced diet, and the foods listed above are the only foods requested at this time. Food plant employees will cook all donations, if necessary, then transport them to victims in need.
Food donations need to be delivered to:
Chris Caballero
45270 Chef John Folse Blvd.
Donaldsonville, LA 70346
225-473-0100
If you know of an ACF vendor or supplier who is interested in donating food or supplies to the relief effort, please have them contact Chris Caballero or the Red Cross for donation requirements and logistical information, at 1-800-HELP-NOW.
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JobTarget Relocation Opportunities on ACF Web Site
ACF is working with our online career center partner, JobTarget, to create a special job database for all displaced chefs and the companies who have job opportunities for them. The service is free of charge and will be available for 45 days, beginning Sept. 2. Visit http://jobs.acfchefs.org/home/index.cfm?site_id=444 for more information.
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Volunteering in the Community
If a chef would like to volunteer their time and efforts to the victims of the hurricane, they should call 1-800-Help-Now to speak to the Red Cross for assignment.
If you would like to be a regional ACF Disaster Relief Ambassadors, who would work in the field to keep ACF Nationals updated on relief efforts, please contact lalessandro@acfchefs.net. The ACF Disaster Relief Ambassadors would be asked to email local and regional updates at least twice a week for the month of September regarding ACF member and community involvement in relief efforts and needs.
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Open Door Policy for Relocated Chefs
If you are a chef who has extra room in your home to host displaced ACF members and their families, or if you work in the hospitality industry and can offer free or discounted hotel rooms, please contact disasterrelief@acfchefs.net. ACF will do what we can to connect families with housing opportunities and other ACF members. A section on the Web Site will be updated Monday – Friday with housing options through September.
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National Dine Out Day with NRA benefiting Red Cross
American Red Cross and National Restaurant Association are working together on the “National Dine Out Day”, in which proceeds from that day’s sales go to the Red Cross’s hurricane relief effort. The last “National Dine Out Day’ raised approximately $20 million. The date is tentatively set for October 5, but stay tuned for more details on how you and your members can get involved!
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Resources for members
While we understand that many of our members are currently displaced and unable to receive email, we hope that members will please spread this information to as many ACF members as possible to insure help is available to all in need. The Red Cross and FEMA Web sites are invaluable resources for food, water, shelter, clothing, medicine and insurance needs or questions.
www.redcross.org
www.fema.gov
An email, disasterrelief@acfchefs.net, has been established on the front page of the ACF Web site to funnel email questions from members on the ACF relief efforts, or call (800) 624-9458, ext. 103.
Lisa Alessandro, APR
Director of Public Relations
American Culinary Federation
180 Center Place Way
St.Augustine, FL 32095
(800)624-9458, ext. 103
Fax: (904) 825-4758
www.acfchefs.org
Chef2Chef News Desk