Taste of Peace
Help us rebuild the lives of refugees and marginalized individuals in the Columbus, Ohio area. We provide tools, resources, and opportunities to create stability and support.
URGENT MESSAGE FROM OUR FOUNDER CONCERNING THE HAITIAN COMMUNITY
Dear Friends,
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I am writing to share how Taste of Peace will be responding to the urgent needs of the Haitian community in Springfield and Columbus, Ohio.
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As Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for many Haitians is set to expire on Tuesday, February 3, countless families are facing deep uncertainty about their safety, employment, and housing. Our desire is to respond through the lens of faith—ensuring that every family feels heard, respected, and cared for during this difficult season.
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Due to negative media attention Springfield received last year, there is growing concern that Haitians could be targeted in ways similar to what has occurred—and continues to occur—in the Minneapolis community. While we are praying for the best, we are also preparing for the worst. Taste of Peace is coordinating closely with local Haitian church leaders to provide support in the following ways:
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1. Food Drive
Many families may be hesitant to leave their homes for basic necessities in the coming weeks. You can help by donating items from the list below or by giving directly to Taste of Peace so we can purchase supplies as needs arise.
Drop-off Locations:
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4066 Main St., Hilliard, OH
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Coffee Connection (4004 Main St., Hilliard, OH)
List of Needed Items:
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Rice
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Black or red beans (dry or canned)
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Cooking oil
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Meat
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Spaghetti
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Flour
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Sugar
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Cornmeal
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Diapers
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Milk
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Sardines
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Canned tuna
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Toilet paper
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Soap
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Dishwashing liquid
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Pine-Sol (floor cleaner)
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Toothpaste
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Gift cards to Costco, Aldi, or Kroger are also greatly appreciated and will allow us to shop for specific needs.
Timeline:
Our first food delivery is scheduled for Saturday, January 31, with continued deliveries throughout February as needed.
2. Rental Assistance
As families face possible job loss or safety concerns, rental assistance is a critical need.
If you would like to contribute, please donate to Taste of Peace https://www.tasteofpeaceohio.com/donate
If you choose to send a donation by check please designate your gift for Haitian Rental Assistance.
Checks may also be mailed to: 4066 Main St., Hilliard, OH 43026.
3. Temporary Care Hosting
We are preparing for the possibility that children may need temporary care. We are seeking volunteers with background checks or foster care experience who would be willing to provide short-term support if needed. This would be a private volunteer agreement—not a formal system placement—and would include the appropriate power of attorney for medical and school-related decisions. If you feel called to support any of these efforts or have questions, please reach out to me directly at irmaleechon@gmail.com or 614-560-6190.
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By responding with dignity, compassion, and respect, we can make a meaningful impact and be a light during a very challenging time.
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Thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity.
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Humbly,
Irma Lee Chon
Founder and Director, Taste of Peace
Our
Story
Born from a passion to help those in need...
There's power in loving our neighbors from the Farmer's Markets, the community garden, English Language classes, to Taste of Peace cultural exchange meals.... there's always something happening.... and always ways to get involved - volunteering, donating, praying-- we welcome it all!
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mission statement
GOD AT WORK IN US FOR THE GOOD OF OTHERS
*****
Matthew 22:37-40:
Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments."
STATE OF THE COMMUNITY
To our Taste of Peace Friends and Supporters
With so much happening around us, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed—but I invite you to pause with me for a moment and listen for that gentle whisper that guides us toward hope and compassion.
Recently, the Taste of Peace board and I have been listening closely to the needs of families in our community—especially those who are feeling vulnerable or afraid. Some are hesitant to leave their homes due to fears of deportation, and we want them to know they are not alone.
We’ve reached out across neighborhoods to let families know that if they are struggling to access what they need, they can come directly to us. We are here to help connect them with resources and support.
Thanks to the generosity of many of you, I’ve made several trips to Costco to gather food and essentials for families who needed a little extra help this month. Just today, we were able to provide cough syrup and cold medicine for a family with sick children who were too afraid to visit the pharmacy, worried they might not return home to their kids. These are the moments when your kindness truly becomes a lifeline.
Through it all, we hold onto this truth: light always overcomes darkness. Taste of Peace exists to be the hands and feet of Christ, bringing that light into difficult places. As Psalm 144:14–15 reminds us: “May there be no cry or distress in our streets. Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall; blessed are the people whose God is the Lord.”
Let’s pray together that the cries and distress in our streets fade away, and that God’s blessings rest upon our city. We would be honored to have you join us in this prayer.
If you’d like to help in a hands-on way—running errands, picking up groceries, or offering practical support—please reach out to any Taste of Peace board member you know, or contact me directly at Irmaleechon@gmail.com.
If you feel led to give financially, please know that every contribution goes directly toward emergency assistance for families in need.
With heartfelt appreciation,
Irma Chon – Founder & Exec. Director
Taste of Peace Ohio