(2010-04) Lahey Clinic Cafeteria Is Destined for Haiti Earthquake Relief

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Mark Lennon, IRN, 603.229.1962 / mlennon@ir-network.com

From Ovens to Salt Shakers, Lahey Clinic Contributes Complete Foodservice Installation

(Burlington, MA, April 9, 2010) The Lahey Clinic is contributing its cafeteria to Haiti earthquake relief.  As part of a major renovation, the Lahey Clinic is redoing its cafeteria, from the tables and chairs out front, to the serving stations in the middle, to the stoves and refrigerators and dishwashers out back. And all of it is being contributed to earthquake relief in Haiti.

The Lahey Clinic is working with the Institution Recycling Network of Concord, NH (IRN) and nonprofit Food for the Poor to make the project happen. IRN is made the nonprofit connection and is managing dismantling and packing the cafeteria for shipment. Food for the Poor, which has a longstanding presence in Haiti, is accepting the equipment and will oversee its placement and installation there.“The situation in Haiti is beyond tragic,” says Lahey CEO David Barrett. “A large number of Lahey employees have Haiti connections, so the situation has been felt particularly hard here. The fact that we’re able to offer our cafeteria in its entirety is a fortunate coincidence. We’re very grateful to be able to make a meaningful contribution to relief and reconstruction.”

To minimize impact on day-to-day operations, the cafeteria was dismantled in a whirlwind project over three nights between April 7 and April 9. Construction and moving crews disconnected and removed dozens of pieces of kitchen and serving equipment along with hundreds of tables and chairs, condiment carts, and other items and packed them into trailers provided by IRN. Because the situation in Haiti is still focused on immediate relief rather than reconstruction, the trailers will be stored for two to three months and then released to Haiti when a recipient site is prepared.

“Lahey’s contribution is a godsend,” says Food for the Poor president Robin Mahfood. “The hardship in Haiti is so great. To be able to put in a complete kitchen and cafeteria that can serve thousands of the needy is a unique piece of good fortune. On behalf of the people of Port au Prince, we are blessed that the Lahey Clinic had the concern and vision to do this.”

 

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