Contact: Kate McElhinney Marketing Coordinator (858) 274-3718 Office (925) 872-1642 Cell kate@plantwithpurpose.

org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Plant With Purpose Employs Farmers through Cash for Work Program to Plant Over 170,000 Trees in Haiti Local Nonprofit works in 67 villages in Haiti to Eradicate Poverty and Deforestation
SAN DIEGO July 8, 2010 Plant With Purpose, an international nonprofit based in San Diego working to reverse poverty and deforestation among the rural poor, has employed over 2,100 farmers through their Cash for Work program to plant over 170,000 trees and construct over 260 miles of soil erosion barriers since the devastating earthquake. This progress will provide a vital barrier against potentially deadly hurricane storms, and is a testament to the leadership of the local staff who were on the ground at the time of the earthquake and were able to respond faster than most agencies. Founded in 1984, Plant With Purpose has been at work in rural Haiti for 13 years. The organization focuses on holistic solutions to poverty through implementing sustainable agriculture programs, creating economic opportunity through micro-enterprise, and encouraging spiritual renewal. Plant With Purpose currently works in 67 villages in Haiti and focuses on long-term development work to ensure that villages are more resilient to natural disasters. Due to the severity of the earthquake, Plant With Purpose is raising funds for relief efforts as well, which includes tree planting and employment opportunities. Our needs increased exponentially with the earthquake, said Plant With Purpose Executive Director, Scott Sabin. We were blessed with an over-whelming response from long-term and new donors, raising nearly $1 million for Haiti. Our donors believe in our mission and continue to support us despite the downturn in the economy, and for that we are very grateful. An expert on Haiti, Sabin is the author of the recently released book, Tending To Eden, where he reflects on his work in Haiti and makes the connection between poverty and the environment. For interview inquiries, or for additional information on Haiti and Plant With Purpose, including videos and photos, please contact Kate McElhinney at kate@plantwithpurpose.org. About Plant With Purpose Plant With Purpose (www.plantwithpurpose.org) is an international, environmental organization that transforms lives in rural areas where poverty is caused by deforestation. For over 25 years, Plant With Purpose has provided lasting solutions to heal the relationship between people and their environment by planting trees, revitalizing farms, and offering loans to create economic opportunity.