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October 27 - 29, 2005

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National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) NAMA RESPONDS TO HURRICANE VICTIMS:

Special Expo Food Drive ; Extended Job Bank and Information Board Will Help Connect Victims With Relief

Chicago, IL –  Extended and free use of the web based NAMA Job Bank, an Information Board for hurricane victims to exchange needs and storm experiences and a special Expo Food Drive are just some of the efforts that the National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) is implementing to help victims suffering from the devastating effects of Gulf Coast hurricanes, NAMA Sr. VP and COODan Mathews announced today.

In discussing the organization’s plan Mathews said, “The devastation wrought by these hurricanes is just indescribable and we want to do everything we can to help those struggling to survive in the aftermath.  We’ve heard countless stories of our members’ generosity and innovation to help their colleagues recover, and we also want to do everything we possibly can to help.”

Mathews went on to outline the initiatives currently underway at NAMA which include:

»      A Food Drive in conjunction with the National Expo in Atlanta, October 27-29. NAMA has arranged a food drive through the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Exhibitors may voluntarily donate excess food & beverage items to help the 25,000 evacuees relocated to theAtlanta area.  TheFood Drive will include:

»       Extra products from the exhibitors at the Expo.  This year, NAMA will be asking exhibitors to bring extra product specifically for this food drive. The food bank will collect the donations on Saturday, October 29, at exhibit tear down.

»       Food donations from Expo attendees.   Attendees may also voluntarily donate non-perishable goods to participate in the food drive. Collection areas will be set up with signage.

»      Extended and Free Use of the Job Bank to match displaced workers with jobs.  With so many struggling to build a new life, NAMA will help match displaced workers with job opportunities on the NAMA Job Bank.  While this is typically a free service to members, NAMA will extend free use of the site to members and non-members alike for 90 days.   Log onto to www.vending.org and click on the Hurricane Relief Efforts banner at the top of the page. 

»      A Special Hurricane Information Board to Link Machines, Parts with Specific Needs.  According to Mathews, NAMA members are already working to help colleagues are already underway across the country, and the Hurricane Information Board will make those efforts easier. 

Said Mathews, “At the recent GAMC membership meeting, one of our members said he had shipped several idle vending machines and parts to a vendor inAlabama because the equipment was sitting in his warehouse and not earning him any revenue.  The equipment is now on loan to theAlabama vendor.  We hope the special Hurricane Information Board will work in a similar fashion where an operator posts topics such as available equipment while other operators post messages looking for things like spare machines or refrigeration parts.”

Added NAMA Manager of Human ResourcesJoann Gonos, “This is an excellent place for members to find colleagues, share experiences and offer or ask for help if needed.  We’re hoping it will serve as a convenient, centralized place for the industry to re-connect.”

»      A Donation to the Red Cross.  The NAMA staff raised several thousand dollars for the relief effort and NAMA provided a matching amount. 

»      NAMA Staff Outreach.  NAMA staff members have been calling and will continue to call victims of the storms to explore other ways that NAMA can help members recover.

Concluded Mathews, “Our hearts go out to everyone who has been affected by this disaster and is now struggling to recover.  We hope they know that we are here for them and will do everything we possibly can to help them through is devastating crisis.”

October 27 - 29, 2005