Several Iowa organizations are collaborating on a campaign to provide “homes, help and hope” for the people of Haiti.

It’s been nearly two years since a massive earthquake devastated the island nation. But many Haitians remain in dire need of shelter and other essentials.

Aaron Putze, director of external relations for the Iowa Soybean Association and coordinator of the Iowa Food & Family Project, says the main objective of the campaign is to purchase and construct 48 SafeTHomes—transitional housing for families displaced by the earthquake.

The SafeTHomes are produced by Sukup Manufacturing and look like mini-grain bins.  Putze says they are ideal for use in Haiti.

“The homes are very unique,” Putze says. “They’re 18 feet wide by about 14 feet tall.  They’re made out of metal, so they are moisture-resistant and termite-resistant. 

“They also collect rainwater and they displace heat  In fact, even in the warmest months of this year—when they were tested—the internal temperature of the home was 10 degrees cooler than the outside temperature.”

In addition to delivering shelter, the “Special Delivery” campaign will provide much-needed food for the people of Haiti.  The Iowa Soybean Association has pledged one-thousand dollars per SafeTHome, up to $48,000, for the purchase of Meals from the Heartland.

Donations to the campaign are being channeled through the Global Compassion Network (www.globalcompassionnet.org), a non-profit organization based in Laurens, Iowa.  Donations to the campaign can be made at iowafoodandfamily.com.

“I found a very interesting number—the average income in Haiti is 653 dollars—and the average American will spend, on Christmas, about 650 dollars,” Putze says.

“It really puts the need in perspective, in Haiti.”

Iowa Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds and Ag Secretary Bill Northey are co-chairs of the campaign.

Also pledging support to the effort are the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Cargill’s Iowa Region and Monsanto.

AUDIO: Aaron Putze (6:52 MP3)