New Food for Life web site launched

In the latter part of 2005, Food for Life Global conducted an online survey asking our friends to share their thoughts on what they would like to see in the new site. Some of the suggestions included a FFL recipe database, volunteer matching service, FFL shop, and a listing of prasadam and veg restaurants. The new site now includes these features and more and we encourage you to visit and tell your friends. Some of the features on the site are still in production, but overall we are very happy with the outcome. One other cool addition is the online meal counter that shows just how many meals FFL is serving around the world -- currently 5 meals every second! Visit: www.ffl.org

Katrina Relief Continues

Food for Life continues to serve hot meals to residents of New Orleans and parts of the Mississippi Gulf Coast 2-3 days a week. The menu consists of rice, dahl (lentil soup), vegetable curry, corn bread, a fresh salad, and sweet semolina pudding. Occasionally the meals also include papadams (spicy indian wafers) and fresh fruit drinks, and everything is prepared with lots of love.

Director of the service, Maharani Dasi, explains, "My 65-year-old Mom helps cut vegetables, and thanks to her, my daughter and son Deshi also help a bit. Our days are long -- from cooking and cleaning to loading and delivery it takes about 12 hours. I would like to increase the distribution if only I could get some more volunteers."

Maharani told FFL Global that her stoves are old and in bad shape. "I need commercial blenders and food processors," she pleaded. Food for Life Global plans to award a $5000 grant to help with purchasing new equipment.

FFL New Orleans Wish List:

• New Van
• Fresh produce
• Volunteers
• Digital camera

If you would like to help with the FFL Katrina Relief, register at the FFL web site

Excellence Award for FFL

New Delhi, March 2006 -- FFL Global affiliate, ISKCON FOOD RELIEF FOUNDATION’S MIDDAY MEAL Kitchen has been awarded the covetous HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) certificate by International Agency DNV (Det Norske Veritas). "The audit was very stringent and every aspect of Food Safety Management system was examined," reported program director, Dhananjaya K das.

Our meals really are that good!

As reported in the recent FFL Video email, Food for Life received a wonderful letter from a Red Cross volunteer. It confirms just how good Food for Life's meals are. Here is the letter:

Dear Food For Life Global,

I was reading stories from your website this afternoon. I was one of the Red Cross volunteers stationed in the Picayune, Mississippi shelter, for 2 weeks, immediately following the storm.

Your story said; "Another FFL volunteer, Keith, added, "We also serve breakfast at the Red Cross shelter in Picayune and everyone loves it -- hash browns, english muffins, and strawberry semolina pudding!" "People are loving our fresh meals, he said. "It is a nice change from the MRE's they typically get. Many people were in tears to see the efforts of the FFL volunteers. Many of those who received it commented that it was the "best food they have had in a long time, even before the hurricane hit!""

Yes, to Keith, the food was wonderful, particularly breakfast. Your meals, and those of the southern Baptist's food operations, manned by Baptists from Virginia, were a true God send, as we had been living on MRE's and heater meals for days. I thank you, and I know the client's we served, loved the food. Many of the residents we were serving had never eaten vegan food before and it was a wonderful 1st experience for them, in the midst of their pain and suffering.

Again, I want to thank you for your service, it was such a bright spot in my deployment.

Sincerely,

Susan Tydings Frushour
Red Cross Chapter of the Blue Ridge

World Food Program Calls 2005 a Disastrous Year

By Lisa Schlein
Geneva, January 2006 -- The World Food Program describes 2005 as the most challenging year the humanitarian aid world has faced since World War II. The U.N. agency says millions of people were in need of emergency assistance due to an exceptionally large number of disasters.

The World Food Program describes 2005 as the most challenging year the humanitarian aid world has faced since World War II. The U.N. agency says millions of people were in need of emergency assistance due to an exceptionally large number of disasters. More...

No one misses out

Vancouver, March 2006 -- Food for Life Global affiliate FFL Vancouver has expanded it's services to many cities in India, including 250 deaf children at the Sweekar Upkar Institute, in Secunderabad.

Last year the project reached out to 250 mentally retarded children at the same institute. Seeing the enthusiasm with which the donors were willing to support the project, the director, Manavedra Musini, has now expanded the program into Pune as well.

HKFFL Coordinator Manavedra Musini, from Vancouver serving prasadam.	The elderly at a shelter in Pune, India enjoy a nutritious FFL lunch on traditional Indian Talis.

HOW YOU CAN HELP!

All donations to Food for Life Global are tax deductible (ID: 52-1952901). You can help support the work of Food for Life projects around the world by making a donation online – it's easy and secure. Your donation will help more people become free of hunger. We rely on our friends to help FFL continue it's vital projects, so please support us. Choose from one of the following secure transaction services or visit our web site for other options.

Help support FFL's Food Relief: (All donations are tax deductible)

Donations by Check Food for Life Global PO Box 59037 Potomac, MD 20859 USA

Remote Volunteering / Fund Raisers / Activists

Food for Life is encouraging people to give time in their local area to help raise awareness of FFL's worldwide activities and thus garner much needed support. Check out our volunteer page and advocacy kit on the new FFL web site to see how you can help.

All volunteers MUST REGISTER with Food for Life Global

Product Highlights

Black T-shirt - "Don't Eat Cows" AVAILABILITY: Dark Apparel will ship in a minimum of 5 business days. Product Number: 45847194

World Hunger Map This 36x24 inch map shows world hunger based on statistics from WFP, and is overlayed with locations and statistics on FFL projects. Only $9 (plus shipping)

Food for Life MUSIC Music about karma-free food and the story of FFL, featuring sanskrit mantras - only $9 (plus shipping). Listen to sample tracks!

Become a Pure Vegetarian Food for Life Global has produced a brochure explaining the concept of karma-free food. Learn how to become a pure vegetarian/vegan and raise your standard to a new level! Download it here (Free)

Feng Shui & Vaastu Change your destiny and improve your health, wealth and happiness using the ancient design wisdom of feng shui and vaastu. 20% will be donated to FFL! www.classicalfengshui.com

Paul Rodney Turner (Priya)
Food for Life Global
PO Box 59037
Potomac, MD 20859, USA
phone: (301) 987-5883
www.ffl.org