Investing In Hope
Charles Hanna, CEO of Cedar’s Mediterranean Foods, has been using his influence and wealth to help support Lebanese students and the country while it faces an economic crisis. Despite hard times, he sees opportunity ahead.
You’ve recently been on a mission to support struggling students at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) in Jounieh, Lebanon. Can you tell us about the initiative and how you were able to help them?
I have been supporting students in Lebanon in different capacities for the last two years. I was introduced to Dr. Nehme Azour, Dean of the Faculty of Business and Commercial Sciences at USEK, and learned more about the school and its initiatives. I immediately recognized there was a need for support. I met the staff and loved the university. Together we formed a partnership, and I committed to donating a substantial amount towards the tuition of students for the next five years. Students are able to continue their studies and progress, which in turn will set the foundations for their entire lives and help the progress of our great country of Lebanon.
This act of generosity has helped many students continue their higher education. What motivated you to choose to contribute to the education sector specifically?
During the revolution two years ago, I recognized there were many young people wanting to do something with their lives. They were looking for opportunities, striving for progress. As the economic crisis in Lebanon has unfolded, our youth have been struggling. They wanted to badly to continue their education, but finances were an obstacle keeping them from doing so. These children, young adults, and students’ dreams inspired me to invest in their future and inspire them by lending them a hand because they really deserve an opportunity. By empowering our youth, we continue their dreams and push forward their potential and successful futures.
You’ve expressed your support and attachment to Lebanon, your home country, in many ways. What other Lebanon-based initiatives have you been a part of?
Through my charity foundation, I have been heavily involved in supporting the people of Lebanon by providing basic human necessities and offering assistance to empower opportunities. This is a major part of my life and something I am fully committed to. I have been providing financial assistance for medication, supporting monthly donations of food, and providing assistance to nursing homes and hospitals throughout the country.
During the pandemic, I helped provide 80,000 vaccines. I have also been supporting churches, which are very important to me, by rebuilding and refurbishing them. I have built two churches from the ground up in my village. I have also been a major supporter of the Lebanese Army.
Do you have any future plans to further support Lebanon and its people during this difficult time?
I continually watch and recognize the needs of our country of Lebanon and remain fluid to what the current situation is. For example, during the pandemic I recognized a need for vaccines and I pivoted to help provide them. I also recognized that hospitals and nursing homes were struggling at this time and I pivoted to provide assistance to help progress our country and support it during the crisis. When something is needed, I recognize it and provide assistance for it. When something comes up again, when Lebanon moves in a different direction, I will move with the flow. I watch to see what the people need and I provide what I can when I can. Right now, it’s medication, food and the basic essential necessities to live, as well as financial assistance in tuition for the progression of our youth.
What are your hopes for Lebanon’s future and what role can its business leaders play in achieving them?
My hope for Lebanon is for it to be a free country, where the people get to decide who and what they want for their country and not just for themselves. If the country progresses, our people are able to no longer worry about their survival, but instead about the progression of their dreams and our country as a whole. There is a lot of opportunity in Lebanon that can be realized when it has a stable government. People can work to help the country progress. There is also a lot of creativity in Lebanon throughout different industries and sectors. The opportunities are endless. Our country is so modern and progressive in so many ways that Beirut could again one day be the Paris of the Middle East. It can turn a corner overnight. Anything done here could be pushed out to the rest of the world. There really is no limit to opportunity here.
You’ve been able to grow a Mediterranean food empire in the U.S., making Lebanese hummus an international dish. What advice would you give to the entrepreneurial youth of Lebanon?
Any dream can be achieved if you put your mind to it. Nothing is out of the question. When I was growing my company, I had a dream and many obstacles that I had to move through, but I was so persistent that I wanted to follow through with my dreams to get it done and get it achieved. Nothing could hold me back from succeeding and achieving. I know in Lebanon there are a lot of obstacles right now. I know and I believe in the people of our country. While we are going through hard times at the moment, the future will still be bright if you pursue it. They say if you make it in New York, you can make it anywhere—I say if you can make it in Beirut you can make it anywhere.