For the past 10 years, the What If? Foundation has been providing life-saving meals to some of the hungriest children in the world.  The number of meals served each week at the food program we support has expanded dramatically as a result of the January 12th earthquake.  Now as many as 4,000 people are receiving a meal each day.  Children are served first.  Then adults.  As always, these meals are served with love and respect.  As we work to raise funds to pay for these meals and other earthquake relief and rebuilding efforts, we invite you to host a What If? dinner. 

The concept if simple:

Invite family and friends to share a meal and ask them to contribute a donation to the What If? Foundation in simple denominations of 10 – $10.10, $20, $100.10 – no amount is too small.

We’ve chosen denominations of 10 because 2010 is the food program’s tenth anniversary.

Make it a potluck or cook up a delicious Haitian dinner similar to the meals served at the food program, by including rice, beans, and vegetables. We included one recipe from Haiti at the bottom of this page.

Start the evening off by sharing information from our website, showing a slideshow of the programs using photos from our gallery (click slideshow on the gallery page), reading an excerpt from Margaret’s book, or just talking about why you personally support the What If? Foundation.

If you are unable to host a gathering at your house, ask your co-workers to join in.  Have everyone at your work pack lunches from home and eat together that day.  Ask your co-workers to donate what they would have spent on eating out and see if your employer will match all donations. The possibilities are endless.

We hope you will consider hosting a What If? dinner.  Thank you for your continuing support.

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Here is one recipe you can try if you want to create a Haitian meal:

Ingredients

• 1 (8 ounce) package dry kidney beans                  •  4 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 bulb shallot, minced                                               •  3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice                   •  2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon adobo seasoning (optional)               •  1 tablespoon kosher salt
• freshly ground black pepper to taste                      • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 3 sprigs fresh parsley                                                 •  3 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 scotch bonnet chile pepper

Directions

1. Place beans in a large pot, and cover with 3 inches of water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 1 1/2 hours, or until tender. Drain, reserving liquid.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute shallot and garlic until fragrant. Stir in cooked beans, and cook for 2 minutes. Measure reserved liquid, and add water to equal 5 cups; stir into skillet. Stir in the uncooked rice. Season with bay leaves, adobo seasoning, salt, pepper, and cloves. Place sprigs of parsley and thyme, and scotch bonnet pepper on top, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 18 to 20 minutes. Remove thyme, parsley, and scotch bonnet pepper to serve.