Two years ago, Dr. Robert Strahl of Baltimore started A Taste of Home, a non-profit organization dedicated to sending care packages to U.S. troops serving overseas. After a few shipments, Strahl heard the words he was hoping for: “I can?t tell you how important it is for me and my men to know we are well-thought of,” from an army lieutenant. Since then, Strahl has dedicated himself to finding sponsors, raising funds, and sending out more packages than ever. Here?s the best part: one hundred percent of donations go to the purchase and shipment of items. Strahl pays all overhead costs out of his own pocket.
Q: How did A Taste of Home start?
A: For several years, I was donating money to the USO, and after a while I became frustrated, because I didn?t know where my money was going. So about two years ago, I ran into a platoon leader?s mother, and she gave me his APO [Army Post Office] address. I started out by sending some power bars, and after a while, it became much more than that.
Q: What should people know about the nonprofit?
A: The really important part about A Taste of Home is that it?s completely non-partisan and apolitical. Sometimes, that?s the first questions from people. It has nothing to do with being for the war, or for this politician, or that one. It?s about sending items to each and every one of these men and women in dangerous and distant lands.
Q: Why have a blog on your Web site?
A: I wanted to create for others what I enjoyed so much, which was to see the soldiers get the items. So I established the blog. It allows people to see where their donations are going to, as well as share stories with the soldiers.
Q: What are some of A Taste of Home?s current projects?
A: The soldiers? number one request is for ATT International calling cards. So ATT donated over $10,000, and during a fundraiser with radio station 680 AM WCBM, we raised enough money so that more than 1,500 men and women could call home for an hour.
We also taped Christmas videos at the Annapolis Armory, giving families the opportunity to say Merry Christmas to the troops. Some of them couldn?t even talk, they got so choked up. They just really miss their men and women over there.
Q: You don?t have any relatives in the military currently. Why do this?
A: I can?t go over there and be a soldier, I?m too old for that. But every day I get up and thank God for our freedom, and if it wasn?t for the soldiers, we wouldn?t have it. This is just my way to serve.
