Qatar Charity, UHCL Diplomacy Institute partner for food distribution

Qatar Charity is partnering with UHCL's Diplomacy Institute to provide food for community members in need. Among those assisting in the food distribution event at Lone Star College-Houston North were, from left, four LSC-HN staff members, LSC-HN President Quentin Wright, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, UHCL Interim President Richard Walker, Associate Vice President of Global Learning and Strategy Gigi Do, LSC-HN Chief Strategist Sheldon Moss, Assistant Vice President of UHCL's Diplomacy Institute Butch Herod, and Diplomacy Institute Programs and Curriculum Coordinator Daniel Katz.

Continuing a partnership formalized last summer, Qatar Charity and the Diplomacy Institute at the University of Houston-Clear Lake launched a food distribution effort December 14 at Lone Star College-Houston North Campus. The event was attended by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Lone Star College-Houston North President Quentin Wright, and UH-Clear Lake Interim President Richard Walker.

The food is funded by a $200,000 gift purchased through the Houston Food Bank, and is the third of a series of anticipated future distribution events.

"This is part of humanitarian diplomacy, which is the connection between Qatar Charity and the Diplomacy Institute," said Associate Vice President of Global Learning and Strategy Gigi Do. "The DI is partnering with Lone Star College in order to broaden the reach of its food insecurity initiative. At a time when rising food costs impose a strain on family budgets, the student population of Lone Star College is a clear match for our goal of meeting the community's needs."

Do said that Mayor Turner's presence at the event underscored its importance and impact. "It's an affirmation of the success of the DI's food distribution efforts, and an acknowledgement of the generosity of our donor, Qatar Charity, in assisting Houston residents amid a global pandemic," she said.

She added that the mayor had awarded a proclamation of gratitude from the City of Houston for the distribution of 6,344 boxes of nonperishable food, each weighing 30 lbs, and that the Lone Star College food distribution site is located in the heart of the historic Acres Homes neighborhood, where Mayor Turner lives.

"The Diplomacy Institute is the inaugural university partner of Qatar Charity in its global humanitarian and development relief efforts," said Walker. "The DI, in partnership with Qatar Charity, has helped lead humanitarian efforts in the Houston area to mitigate food insecurity for those most in need. This distribution at Lone Star College underscores the importance of collaborative partnerships in addressing this complex challenge as well as our collective shared commitment to humanity."

To learn more about UHCL's partnership with Qatar Charity, go online.