Join With Barber Foods in a Grassroots Effort to Help Haiti

UPDATE: March 6, 2010 - After more than a month and many obstacles, "Sea Hunter's supplies reach the hands of Haitian people."

A 200-foot ship which goes by the name “Sea Hunter” and normally searches for archeological treasures on the ocean floor is currently on a different mission - to deliver much needed supplies to the people of Haiti.

Sea Hunter” is part of Sub Sea Research LLC, an underwater exploration company founded in 1984 by Maine natives Greg and Kathy Brooks. Having made numerous trips to Haiti in the past, the January 12th earthquake struck a particularly personal chord with Brooks.

Docked in Portland, Maine, on Tuesday, January 26, Brooks was met with an outpouring of support and supplies from local individuals and businesses who gave time, money, water and other emergency relief items to be delivered to Haiti. Barber Foods is humbled to be among those who were able to contribute to the effort initiated by Brooks. With a team of employees representing more than 61 different nationalities, including Haitian, Barber Foods was compelled to contribute from a personal level.

In addition to supplies like water, blankets and clothing, Brooks and his 12-person crew will deliver food, including 200 cases of Barber Foods product, to the Haitian people and to mobile kitchens throughout the country. In the two weeks they plan to spend in Haiti, the team hopes to not only bring supplies to people in the devastated capital of Port-au-Prince but also to those outside the city who have less access to aid.

Where do you come in? While the Sea Hunter is already loaded with cargo, the 7-day voyage will require a tremendous amount of fuel for which funds are still needed. To find out more about how to help or to donate funds for fuel and other supplies, visit the Sub Sea website and scroll down to give via PayPal or to find information on the credit union account which has been set up to receive donations.

Read the complete Portland Press Herald article online.