‘It’s a symbol of the American people’s generosity’: CARE celebrates 80 years
CARE, a global humanitarian organization, celebrated its 80th anniversary by packing disaster relief supply kits and introducing the CARE PACKAGE for Emergencies, a lightweight, customizable kit designed to support a family of four for up to one month. The post ‘It’s a symbol of the American people’s generosity’: CARE celebrates 80 years appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.
Black News 
Eighty years after delivering the first-ever CARE PACKAGE® boxes to postwar Europe on May 11, 1946, the Atlanta-based global humanitarian organization CARE is marking the milestone with a team celebration at its Downtown Headquarters.
Stocked with essential food supplies and everyday comforts, the boxes quickly became powerful symbols of American compassion. This movement was started by 22 American civic, relief, and charitable organizations that joined forces in New York City to form the Cooperative for American Remittances to Europe, an effort that would become CARE, the Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere.
In the 80 years that followed, CARE has grown into a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty in more than 120 countries.
Nearly 100 CARE staff came together to commemorate the unique history and legacy of the CARE PACKAGE and to pack disaster relief supply kits, which will be deployed to support individuals coping with the aftermath of disasters and other emergencies.
During the celebration, CARE officials highlighted various packages such as hygiene, mother and baby, and caregiver care packages, aiming to reach 500,000 people by 2030 through over 40 partners in 11 states.
According to CARE, they plan to pack 500 hygiene kits for Family Promise of Cobb County.
Atlanta Chief Financial and Operating Officer Ranil DeSilva said it’s been eighty years since they started their original CARE packages.
“It’s a symbol of the American people’s generosity and sincerity to really help the world. This all started in World War II, in 1946, when we first delivered the care package to Europe. It landed in the ports of Normandy, Normandy in France, where we delivered 15,000 care packages,” he said. “That’s the start of it, and today we are celebrating by using the next-generation care package.”
DeSilva said, given the global challenges now, he believes it’s an important point where organizations like CARE are supporting the community.
“We’re doing a lot of CARE packaging today that’s focused on American communities, especially women and families that are in need of support, especially in crisis and humanitarian challenges that people are facing,” he said. “We are packaging a lot of hygiene and kids’ packaging that’s going to help the community to navigate through some of the challenges.”
DeSilva adds it’s not the only component, but CARE is also working with the Atlanta community of women who are pregnant, struggling in certain areas, such as health.
“We are a big part of the Atlanta community,” he said.
“The CARE PACKAGE showed what’s possible when people come together to support one another,” said Michelle Nunn, President and CEO of CARE. “Reconnecting Americans to the CARE PACKAGE helps carry forward the culture of care that emerged after World War II. At a time when humanitarian needs are rising, and aid resources are dwindling, we are looking to bring that same spirit of compassion to families facing crises around the world and here at home.”
Additionally, CARE is introducing the CARE PACKAGE for Emergencies, an innovative evolution of the original CARE PACKAGE designed for today’s global crises. It supports those affected by humanitarian emergencies around the world.
Each package is a lightweight, customizable kit housed in three easy-to-carry nylon packs that can support a family of four for up to one month and includes nearly 40 items to address urgent shelter, cooking, water, and hygiene needs. CARE aims to reach one million people with these new kits by 2030. The CARE PACKAGE for Emergencies has already been piloted in the Philippines, Bangladesh, Nepal, Mozambique, and Malawi.
The post ‘It’s a symbol of the American people’s generosity’: CARE celebrates 80 years appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.
