Free shipping on orders over $35

Dignity Coconuts Blog
Community Transformation

January 08, 2021

2020 was devastating for us. Where we had experienced 2 severe typhoons in 10 years, we had 4 major typhoons hit our area this year - with three of them passing directly over our site. This damaged most of our coconut trees, limiting our ability to run production. Additionally, due to COVID-19, the government severely limited production capacity and local trucking. We are so proud of our team who worked extra hard, long hours, and found creative solutions to continue producing with our high standards of quality while keeping our workers safe.

Typhoon Damage
But the damage to homes and livelihood was overwhelming. Hundreds of homes - many just thatched "nipa huts" -were severely damaged or washed out to sea completely without any kind of insurance or safety net. Most live “hand to mouth," only having 2-4 weeks of cash stuffed away for emergencies. Families soon had a real fear of starvation.

Stephen Freed, our Founder & CEO, visited to assess the damages to homes and our coconut trees after one of the typhoons. While reviewing clipboard spreadsheets in the hot sun, the true impact became all too real when one of the farmers came and stood quite close - - "I have nothing", she cried. He began to acknowledge her when she stopped him short and came closer still - "I lost everything. Help me." The group stood silent looking at the two of them. She stepped closer to Stephen. "HELP me!" Filipinas don't do that. He had nothing to say, except the one thing ... "We will."


Rice Distribution

We quickly rolled up our sleeves to help. We sent out our skilled workers to repair/rebuild homes and organized food distributions. We helped farmers clear fallen trees, planted new saplings, and provided them with a few months of cash and food.

2020 total impact:
  • 196,572 lbs. of rice distributed to 2,206 families
  • 336 homes repaired after typhoons
  • 128 food boxes given to farmer families 
  • 2,500 coconut saplings planted
But the real heros are our loyal customers. Without you, none of this could have happened. Using our products allowed us to help this community through their most vulnerable and desperate times. 


So from the entire Dignity staff...
"Salamat Po (a sincere "Thank You" in Tagalog) for supporting our community and breaking the chains of poverty & modern-day slavery."

 




Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.

Additional Blog Posts

THANK YOU: a note from the Philippines
THANK YOU: a note from the Philippines

November 24, 2022

Continue Reading

Our Mom’s Super Moist Pumpkin Bread
Health Benefits Recipes
Our Mom’s Super Moist Pumpkin Bread

November 22, 2022

Our mom has been working hard this autumn to master her Pumpkin Bread recipe. I am not kidding when I tell you it's SO MOIST -- think melt away in your mouth! So what's the secret sauce?

Continue Reading

Ethical & Sustainable Holiday Gift Guide
Ethical & Sustainable Holiday Gift Guide

November 11, 2022

You want your Christmas gifts to be ethical and sustainable, but don't know where to start.Here’s our holiday gift guide of food, home, and fashion businesses that enable you to participate in BREAKING THE CHAINS of sex trafficking, generational poverty, abuse, and unethical practices with your purchase.

Continue Reading

Subscribe