Guest donations, match raise more than $92k for hurricane relief  

 
 
ASHLAND, N.H. — Guests of The Common Man heeded the call when the New Hampshire hospitality family launched a fundraiser in early October to support the hurricane relief efforts of nonprofit organizations World Central Kitchen and American Red Cross. 
Initially intended to assist Hurricane Helene relief efforts after the storm struck Southeastern areas of the United States in late September, the fundraiser was quickly expanded to also dedicate assistance to Hurricane Milton relief, which brought devastation to some of the same areas less than two weeks later. 
The Common Man family invited guests to donate in its restaurants, inns, and stores throughout New Hampshire, as well as online microsites, with a promise to match all donations up to $100,000 for the two organizations combined. 
During the two-week fundraising challenge, donations from guests totaled more than $13,750 for World Central Kitchen, and more than $32,500 for American Red Cross. With matches from The Common Man family, the final total donated to World Central Kitchen was $27,514.14 and $65,074.16 to American Red Cross, for a grand total of $92,588.30 dedicated to hurricane relief for our neighbors to the South. 
“The foundation of our business is to do good in our communities, and who better to partner with than the Red Cross and World Central Kitchen, who go out and help in disasters,” said Common Man CEO Vincent Vella. “Being able to get our guests involved, as well as doing the match the way we did, it was a great way for us to help out and do what we can.” 
It has been nearly 10 weeks since Hurricanes Helene and Milton hit, and according to the American Red Cross, thousands across the Southeast U.S. are still living with inconceivable storm damage. American Red Cross responders are still there with storm victims to provide aid and a shoulder to lean on to ensure no one faces these disasters alone. 
“After disasters, the American Red Cross helps meet the urgent humanitarian needs of those affected,” said Stephanie Couturier, Red Cross regional executive. “We focus on providing safe shelter, food, emotional support, relief supplies, financial assistance and other aid. Our mission is only possible thanks to generous donors like The Common Man Family and their customers. We are so grateful for their support. This gift will allow the Red Cross to continue to deliver critical care and comfort for months to come.” 
World Central Kitchen teams have been in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina since the end of September, when Hurricane Helene struck first, and Hurricane Milton quickly followed. According to its website, multiple World Central Kitchen food truck partners and the organization’s new Rapid Response Field Kitchen were readied so teams could provide water and hot meals quickly after the storms. 
For more information about the ongoing hurricane relief efforts of World Central Kitchen, visit wck.org. To learn more about the American Red Cross disaster relief work, visit redcross.org/about-us/our-work/disaster-relief.html. 
 
Celebrating more than 53 years of hospitality in New Hampshire, The Common Man independent hospitality family is made up of 15 restaurants, four Inns, a Spa, Company Store, The Flying Monkey Movie House and Performance Center, The Barn on the Pemi wedding and event center, and Common Man Roadside locations. For more information about The Common Man, visit thecman.com, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thecommonmannh and find them on Instagram @thecommonmannh.