In Haiti, efforts to feed and house earthquake victims are building strength daily, as public and private organizations coordinate the massive rescue effort.

One of the principle non-government organizations assisting in Haiti is Food for the Poor (FFTP), the largest international relief and development organization in the United States. FFTP feeds millions in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. Days after the earthquake, FFTP volunteers in Port-au-Prince were distributing boxes of Pop-Tarts and hot food to hungry and wounded victims in hospitals and throughout the devastated Haitian capital.

Meanwhile, back in the U.S., the Postal Service has been helping FFTP raise money to help fund the organization’s efforts in Haiti. The day after the earthquake, Mailing Solutions Specialist Charlene Miles met with the organization at its headquarters in Coconut Creek, FL, to propose launching a direct mail special appeal for earthquake victims. Expediency was a major concern, and FFTP wanted the appeal to reach their donors as soon as possible.

Miles suggested First-Class Mail would be the most effective product to use for the solicitation. Business Services Network Representative Juan Nadal assisted in speeding the approval of the final mailpiece and making sure USPS was prepared to accept 1 million pieces of First-Class Mail. Nadal also issued mail alerts to promote timely delivery nationwide.

FFTP expects the First-Class Mail solution will generate more than a 10 percent Business Reply Mail response rate.

source: USPS News