Ek Disha Foundation and Indo American Charity Foundation Combine Efforts to Aid Flood Victims
CAM Administration: Janet Knott, Monique Wright, Martha Burnes, and Swati Narayan
HOUSTON: On Friday, May 5, two Houston based South Asian organizations, the Ek Disha Foundation and the Indo American Charity Foundation, combined fundraising efforts to present the Cypress Assistance Ministries (CAM) with $5000 in HEB gift cards (two hundred $25 gift cards) to assist the flood victims in the 77084 zip code. The 77084, an area sandwiched between the City of Houston and the City of Katy, is uniquely disadvantaged in that it does not receive city services from either city. 20% of the residents (approximately 20,000 people) in this area (many of whom are immigrants), lost property in the April 18 floods.
While parts of Houston were still under water, the Ek Disha Foundation (EDF), which funds, mentors, and supports high impact, sustainable projects globally and locally, jumped into action by conducting a goods drive, collecting nonperishable food, toiletries, and cleaning supplies. EDF reached out to other South Asian organizations to collaborate efforts, and the Indo American Charity Foundation (IACF), whose motto is “We live here. We give here,” quickly responded with their support. In the span of 6 days, the two organizations raised $5000 towards the purchase of HEB grocery store gift cards for almost 200 families in the 77084 zip code.
As the only support agency serving the 77084 zip code, Cypress Assistance Ministries is providing cleaning supplies, up to $500 rental assistance for flood victims, and now, thanks to the combined donation from EDF and IACF, will be able to provide much needed funds for families to purchase groceries. While most of the Greater Houston area has recovered and sees none of the effects of the floods, thousands of people are still deeply impacted by it. The joint efforts of EDF and IACF seek to bring necessary attention to their needs and provide assistance so that residents may quickly move towards rebuilding their lives.
Vanessa, a flood victim, her daughter, and Martha Burnes, CAM’s Executive Director.
The Ek Disha Foundation (EDF) is a ten-year-old, grass roots, volunteer run organization that funds, mentors, and facilitates high impact, sustainable projects in the areas of health, education, and enterprise. EDF seeks the resolution of humanitarian needs through projects and/or ideas that are sustainable and scalable. Some of their project areas include sanitary hygiene, trafficking, access to clean water, maternal and fetal health, to list a few. $3000 Gift Card Donation to CAM.
The Indo American Charity Foundation is a 29-year-old organization that appeals to the philanthropic spirit of the Indo American community in Houston to address needs in the areas of Education, Family, General needy and Healthcare in the metro Houston area. Their mission is to foster the local community “whose basic needs are met and where everyone can lead enriched lives.” $2000 Gift Card Donation to CAM.
“IACF is excited to join hands with Ek Disha foundation to work on projects benefiting Greater Houston Community in line with IACF mission of ‘WE LIVE HERE WE GIVE HERE’, We thank Ek Disha for coordinating the distribution of our donation to recent flood affected victims in our neighborhood”.–NANDA VURA President IACF