Why We Do What We Do
As the name implies, "Planet Aid" is a charity whose mission is global. Our philosophy is one that seeks to give people a hand up rather than a hand out. We believe that individuals and communities can be mobilized to lift themselves from poverty with the right support. Together with our partners, we seek to strengthen education, prevent disease, increase income, and reduce the impacts of climate change.
We are proud of the success we have been able to achieve (for a recent example click here).
Though our mission is global, we help those in need here at home, too, especially when tragedy strikes or difficult conditions arise. For example, when Hurricane Sandy struck, we donated goods to local communities. We did the same when the Oklahoma tornadoes wreaked havoc last year. This past winter our regional centers donated clothing, blankets, sleeping bags and other items for free to the homeless in the cities of Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Detroit, and Kansas City. (see this ABC report from Cleveland). In Kansas City, we have a close working relationship with the local charity, Care of Poor People or COPP.
We have been supporting charities in New England in the same way. Though we did not publicize it, last year our New England operation donated over 3,000 pounds of warm clothing to 18 local charities as well as hundreds of pounds of food and toiletries to food pantries.
In the Washington DC area, we have been supporting the International Rescue Committee.
Finally, in Los Angeles we partner with the Fire Department to provide items to victims of fire.
This is but a short list of the ways in which we help. We continue to search for new organizations that we can partner with. For more information, see our local pages.