The beautiful country of Italy has once again suffered devastating losses from an earthquake and series of aftershocks that rippled through its central regions leaving behind many shocked, homeless and dead. Like many of you, I have heard the news and read about the tragic events online. I was sad for sure, wondering if some of the villages will be able to rebound after such destruction and can’t begin to imagine the heartbreak of losing a loved one to a natural disaster. Then I read an article online in the New York Times by Larry Buchanan, Josh Keller and Derek Watkins titled “Italian Towns Before and After the Earthquake.” The series of photos illustrating the before and after amplified my sadness to a deep, deep sorrow for all of those affected by this tragedy.

So, rather than writing about celebrating the Sagra Degli Spaghetti all’Amatriciana, a feast honoring the namesake pasta dish in Amatrice, near the epicenter of the earthquake, I am going to provide you with a list of organizations collecting financial aid and contributing assistance. I pledged $100.00 to Global Giving prior to posting this article. Italy has given me so much, I want to give something back.

 

HOW TO HELP (# of stars refer to the rating as of today on Charity Navigator)

Global Giving Italy Earthquake Relief Fund (4 Stars)

The Italian American Foundation (3 Stars)

ABOUT

Lisa M. Vogele is the author of Food & Folklore: A Year of Italian Festivals,  a travel reference guide that “helps you go local” by incorporating festivals into your travel planning. You can find out more information at Lisa’s Travel Guides.

PHOTO CREDITS

Street in Amatrice Prior to 2016  by Silvio Sorcini   By Silvio sorcini (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Amatrice by Paolo Serra   paoloserra via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND

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