German Retiree Tests a 64-Year-Old Tin of Lard from a Historic CARE Package

BONN (February 3, 2012) - German pensioner Hans Feldmeier was very pleased to see the results of a food laboratory exam showing that a tin of lard from over 64 years ago was still edible today. The lard had been part of a CARE Package sent from the United States, one of more than 100 million that the humanitarian organization sent to provided much-needed aid for war-torn Europe. Germany alone received more than 10 million CARE Packages.

Watch Mr. Feldmeier, 87, open the can of Swift'ning lard and taste the contents in this news report from the BBC.

Soon after the story broke, the retired chemist received a phone call from CARE. He was delighted to learn that the aid organization still is working today.

“It was very encouraging to hear that CARE continues to provide aid for people in need, and to know that the spirit of humanity that we have witnessed back in the days is still alive today." He continues, "The modern CARE Package might not contain lard anymore, but the message of hope and humanity remains the same."

CARE was founded in 1945 as consortium of 22 American organizations to help ease suffering and hunger in post-war Europe. CARE then was named as "Cooperative for American Remittances to Europe” and the organization's CARE Packages quickly became a symbol of hope and reconciliation. In later years, CARE's name was changed to "Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere," and expanded its programs of relief and development to other parts of the world. 

Today, CARE is one of the largest aid organizations in the world. Last year, CARE worked in 84 countries around the world, supporting 1,015 poverty-fighting projects to reach almost 130 million people. CARE's work includes implementing long-term programs to fight poverty, responding to humanitarian emergencies and advocating for policy change to improve the lives of the world's poorest people.

Of course, a modern CARE-Package does not contain items, such as lard, coffee and chocolate anymore. Today, the majority of CARE's relief items are purchased on the ground in the countries where we work to help support local markets, bolster livelihoods and ensure a fast response when a crisis strikes.

In the years since the first CARE Package was delivered, CARE's anti-poverty mission has changed. Instead of delivering items in a box, CARE now delivers tools and resources that help empower poor girls and women around the world to create positive change in their lives and their communities.The CARE Package has changed, too. Like its predecessor, the new CARE Package is changing the way people invest in helping others.