UNITED STATES.
Our focus in the United States has been largely on addressing hunger because we believe that access to food is a basic human right. Poverty and food insecurity are closely linked to unemployment and underemployment. Supporting a local food shelf not only provides immediate access to food but also helps individuals secure better employment and connect with local, state, and federal programs that promote long-term stability.
Our efforts began in Excelsior, Minnesota, in 2013 through a partnership with the Intercongregation Communities Association (ICA). The Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, where Charlie lives, was ranked 9th in the nation for suburban poverty by the Brookings Institute. Interestingly, across the country, many growing food-insecure populations are in suburban areas.
We were introduced to ICA Food Shelf through a personal connection and focused on its expansion in Excelsior, where a second location was being developed. It was surprising to discover that food insecurity was a significant issue even in this relatively affluent community, to the extent that expanding food shelf services became a legislative matter for the City Council.
To gain deeper insight, we met with the Mayor of Excelsior and the then-director of the ICA Food Shelf. This meeting reinforced the staggering need for food assistance not only in the U.S. but also globally. Seeing ICA’s expansion project firsthand allowed us to make an informed decision to support their initiative.
Since this time, JABOR has been involved in a variety of other US-based projects. We have helped with the construction of a therapeutic riding center, for example, and have responded to areas hit by natural disaster. One of our recent initiatives took place in North Carolina with a local organization called Thermal Hugs, where JABOR provided bikes and toys for children affected by Hurricane Helene. In 2025, JABOR also facilitated the transportation of 400+ hospital beds across the U.S. for Project C.U.R.E. through Dreamliner and Live Nation. Members of Team Rubicon also contributed to these efforts. The beds will be distributed disaster zones and impoverished nations worldwide.
