From Search and Rescue to Sustainability: The Story Behind OG Straws for Disaster Relief

For Gerald Shaffer, founder of Naturally OG Straws, disaster relief is not an abstract concept — it’s personal. As a veteran first responder with Ground Search and Rescue, Gerald has spent years in the back woods, on call to help those in need under the most challenging conditions.

It was during one of these missions that the idea for OG Straws was born. Deep in the wilderness, he found himself in a situation where clean water was available — but hard to reach. Tucked in the cracks of a rock formation, the water could not be scooped or lifted without contamination. Necessity demanded innovation, so Gerald fashioned a makeshift straw from a blade of local grass, allowing him to safely sip from the crevice.

That simple act of survival sparked an idea: a natural, lightweight, biodegradable straw could be more than just a convenience. It could be a life-saving tool in situations where hygiene, access, and portability are paramount.

From that moment, OG Straws for Disaster Relief took shape. Today, the company produces straws made from Canadian rye grass — carbon-negative, eco-friendly, and resilient. More than an alternative to plastic, they are a practical tool that can help in emergency situations:

• Disease Prevention: Hygienic straws reduce the risk of contamination when water sources are shared.

• Access to Water: They allow the injured, elderly, or disabled to sip fluids when direct drinking isn’t possible.

• Survival Utility: In the field, they provide a lightweight, disposable means to access water in crevices, containers, or unstable sources.

As Gerald puts it:

“My training in Search and Rescue taught me that the smallest, simplest tools can save lives. OG Straws were born in the field, in a moment of necessity, and today they carry that same spirit of resilience and preparedness into disaster relief efforts worldwide.”

With OG Straws for Disaster Relief, every straw carries more than just a sip — it carries a story of survival, resilience, and readiness.

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Media Contact

Gerald Shaffer
Founder – Naturally OG Straws, a Shaffer Farms Brand
📧 gerald@shafferfoods.com
🌐 www.ogstraws.com