SARASOTA, FL — December 12, 2025 – Interstate Products Inc Partners with GEM for continued efforts to supply human relief. When the second of two larger size water storage bladders arrived in Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa, its impact was felt almost immediately—and intensely. The stories coming back from the field, particularly from the hard-hit Mandeville Regional Hospital in the south, revealed a dire situation: the facility, which became a regional lifeline, was rationing water so strictly that surgeries were being scheduled based on water availability.

Hearing this critical update, Interstate Products, Inc. knew a quick follow-up was essential. Instead of simply sending another large tank, the company partnering with a different relief partner- Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) to pivot this aid strategy. The new commitment is for three smaller, more flexible 500-gallon pillow water bladders (tanks), a tailored donation designed to provide immediate, deployable reserves where the demand is highest at the hospital.

"We felt compelled to act the moment we heard the staggering reality—that a lack of water was literally holding up life-saving surgeries," said Rich Eisenberg, a Founder and President of Interstate Products. "Partnering with the GEM organization on this second round allowed us to make a more strategic donation. These three smaller units give the hospital the flexible, decentralized water storage they need right now to keep those essential services running."

The new smaller bladders ensure a steady supply of crucial drinking and cleaning water for both patients and dedicated medical staff, directly easing the bottleneck that has plagued the facility since Hurricane Melissa.

The hospital’s appreciation below highlights just how vital these supplies have become:

“The larger Onion Tank and now the three smaller 500 Gallon Bladders donated by Interstate Products have been a lifeline for the communities we serve. They’re very important for cleaning and drinking water and help get procedures done. This latest donation in partnership with GEM, further strengthens our partnership and ensures we can continue to provide essential resources. We are incredibly grateful for the Interstate Products and GEM Teams’ commitment to our mission in Jamica after Hurricane Melissa.” added Deika Morrison who is the Director of Operations for GEM Caribbean based in Jamaica.

Contact for inquires:

Rich Eisenberg, President Founder

Bio: https://store.interstateproducts.com/pages/rich-eisenberg-founder.html

https://store.interstateproducts.com/products/Water-Tanks

Interstate Products, Inc.

Sarasota, FL 34233

Phone: 1-941-377-8610

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://store.interstateproducts.com/

About Global Empowerment Mission (GEM)

GEM is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to empowering people by developing and offering highly effective and timely methods for disaster recovery. Global Empowerment Mission, GEM, was established in response to the 2010 Haiti Earthquake. The objective is to deliver the most amount of aid, to the most amount of people in need, in the shortest amount of time and with the least amount of costs to our donors. Gem has deployed over 382 disaster relief missions in 74 countries and all 50 states.

How to Support GEM’s Life-Saving Work

The humanitarian needs remain vast. For those moved by the hospital’s urgent situation and who wish to support this specific, ongoing effort among so many worthy causes, donations can be made directly to GEM:

1. https://www.globalempowermentmission.org/mission/hurricane-melissa/

About Interstate Products, Inc. (IPI)

Interstate Products, Inc. (IPI), based in Sarasota, Florida, is a long-standing supplier of mission-critical environmental and safety products, including water and fuel storage bladders used for relief and other applications, spill containment equipment, and facility supplies. IPI's role in catastrophic events and disasters is supplying products to relief agencies, governmental bodies, and military entities worldwide, who handle the direct deployment of the equipment to disaster sites. Since Hurricane Katrina and since, IPI has been supporting numerous large-scale emergency and disaster response efforts by fulfilling urgent product orders. The company also supports these efforts through product donations, ensuring relief organizations have the essential tools needed for humanitarian and environmental recovery.