Meds & Food for Kids (MFK), a non-profit organization that provides healthy food to Haitians, is hosting its second-annual gala and auction, “Experience Kanaval and The Spirit of RaRa” at the Saint Louis Science Center this Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m.
After many years witnessing the poverty in Haiti, Dr. Patricia Wolf, professor of clinical procedures at Washington University’s School of Medicine, founded MFK in 2003. The organization's main mission is to supplement healthy food and nutrients to Haitian people, especially children, while also contributing to the development of the Haitian economy. MFK served more than 31,000 children in 2012, according to a MFK fact sheet.
MFK reached a milestone in August 2012 when it opened a $3.5-million permanent factory in Haiti, which will produce ten times more of the Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), in addition to other nutritious foods.
MFK is also helping to develop peanut agriculture in Haiti. In 2012, MFK purchased more than 121,000 pounds of peanuts from about 500 Haitian peanut farmers and trained 1,000 more.
The event this weekend, “Experience Kanaval and The Spirit of the RaRa,” will feature Haitian traditions in the form of art, cuisine, music and culture. An authentic RaRa band and Haitian dancers and drummers will entertain the audience, native Haitian artwork will be on display, and the menu will feature traditional Haitian cuisine.
The emcee for the event is SLM co-owner and KETC's Donnybrook panelist Ray Hartmann. Peter H. Raven, president emeritus of the Missouri Botanical Garden, and Thad Simons, president and CEO of Novus International, Inc. will serve as honorary co-chairs for the evening. Tickets for the gala are $175 each or $350 for patron-level tickets. To order tickets, go to mfkhaiti.org.
For more information on MFK, go to mfkhaiti.org.
