Haiti Outreach -- Minnesota Nonprofit

A couple years back I interviewed a local couple who had gone on several mission trips to Haiti. While there, they helped build homes and dig fresh water wells.

They traveled with a nonprofit organization called Haiti Outreach, which in the course of writing the article, I learned was headquartered in my neck of the woods.

Since then, I've run into several people who are involved with the organization in some way. They've attended a silent auction for the group or a benefit dinner.

Haiti Outreach spends a lot of its resources on digging wells. In the course of my budget and global travels, I've seen some pretty sorry drinking water situations. Because of this, I know how much a new well can mean to a community in need. And because of this, I've kept tabs on Haiti Outreach since learning of its existence practically right down the street from my house.

Luckily, Haiti Outreach didn't suffer any personnel losses in the recent earthquake there. Most of their missions are in the countryside, far away from Port au Prince.

However, they've posted a couple updates on their web site and mentioned yet another logistical nightmare I hadn't yet thought about.

The Haiti Outreach members in Haiti right now, have been loading up their large trucks and trying to deliver water to those in need, and they've hired another truck to do the same. But...they are running out of diesel.

If you're in the Twin Cities and you're seeking a local connection to Haiti, check out Haiti Outreach. The organization, which is a registered 501c3, is taking donations through its web site.

Or...if you have a soft spot for chocolate and wine -- and who doesn't? -- consider attending the Wine and Chocolate Tasting on February 12.