Philanthropists Bacardi and Grass Tip Birthday Hats to Food For The Poor

Kimberly Bacardi and Natalie Grass hosted their joint birthday party luncheon at “Dolores But You Can Call Me Lolita” restaurant on Aug. 25. The vibrant pair passed on receiving personal gifts – asking friends and family instead to send good karma and monetary donations in their honor to the South Florida-based nonprofit Food For The Poor.

The surprise chocolate frosted and fondant birthday cake was made by celebrity Chef Ron Duprat, from Season 6 of Top Chef. Chocolate mousse separated the chocolate and vanilla cake layers, and an icing Haitian flag design was the perfect thank you on behalf of those the birthday girls are helping in Haiti. First prize for best hat went to lawyer Natasha Mayne with her stunning purple-plumed bonnet from Neiman Marcus.

Wearing their most stylish hats, guests listened to stories from Bacardi’s eye-opening travel experience to Haiti with Food For The Poor and a group from the Florida Marlins.

“Horrendous living conditions exist in Haiti – only an hour and a half by plane from Miami,” said Bacardi. “I plan to return to Haiti in the future with Food For The Poor to see how our donations have been used to build a village and positively affect change.”

During Bacardi’s journey to Haiti, she visited Food For The Poor-sponsored orphanages, handicapped homes, feeding centers and villages. Bacardi’s goal is to inspire others to realize they can make a difference in Haiti – one person, one family at a time.

“By traveling to Haiti, Kim’s presence gave those she met and hugged renewed hope,” said Angel Aloma, Food For The Poor’s Executive Director. “By using their birthdays to do good for others, Kim and Natalie exemplify the importance of cheerful giving, and that it is more fulfilling to give than it is to receive.”

Birthday monies will go toward the Food For The Poor and Florida Marlins “Homes For Haiti” campaign to construct the Good Karma Community Center in Cap-Haitien, Haiti. The center will provide a place for a health clinic and vocational training classes. Extra funds will be used to fulfill other needs within the community – housing, solar power and animal husbandry projects, for example.

To support Bacardi and Grass’s effort, please make checks payable to Food For The Poor and include the special source code “SC# 70264.” Donations can be mailed to 7824 SW 193 Street, Miami, FL 33157. All gifts are tax-deductible. Online donations can also be made through the charity’s secure Web site, www.foodforthepoor.org/goodkarmagroup.

Food For The Poor, the largest international relief and development organization in the nation, does much more than feed millions of hungry poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. This interdenominational Christian agency provides emergency relief assistance, clean water, medicines, educational materials, homes, support for orphans and the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance, with more than 96 percent of all donations going directly to programs that help the poor. For more information, please visit www.FoodForThePoor.org.

Waste Management Helps Marlins Build Homes for Haiti

Waste Management presented a $50,000 donation to the Florida Marlins “Homes for Haiti” campaign during the pre-game ceremony on Sunday, Aug. 22. The funds will support the Marlins team initiative to build much-needed housing in Haiti with the international relief and development organization Food For The Poor. Approximately 4,500 Waste Management employees and community partners were in attendance for the check presentation.

For more than 24 years, Food For The Poor has worked to help the people of Haiti by constructing homes and villages, installing water wells, implementing self-sustainable projects, and distributing food and emergency relief supplies. The Jan. 12 earthquake displaced more than 1 million people – most of whom remain homeless today during hurricane season.

“We are grateful to the Florida Marlins and Waste Management for all they have done to bring awareness to the urgent need for safe, permanent housing in Haiti,” said Angel Aloma, Executive Director of Food For The Poor.

“We are extremely pleased to partner with Food For The Poor and the Marlins in this vital effort to bring housing and hope to those in great need,” said Dawn McCormick, Community Affairs Manager for Waste Management in South Florida. “It is gratifying to support our Haitian co-workers, many of whom lost family members in the earthquake, by participating in this effort that will put families into permanent homes and provide them with a safe and more secure future.”

The Waste Management donation will provide 10 two-room homes in the Florida Marlins village. Food For The Poor homes are permanent, sturdy concrete construction with rebar reinforcements, and strong corrugated zinc roofs. The charity is ramping up its capacity for building, and homes are going up in Jacmel, Pierre Payen, Trou Du Nord, Demier, Chastenoye, Delogner, Gros Chaudiere, Mahotiere, Leogane, and Grand Goave.

Marlins catcher John Baker, along with members of the Marlins’ front office traveled to Haiti on July 6 and 7 to see firsthand the destitute living conditions of families in Port-au-Prince, as well as in Cap-Haitien, where some of those fleeing the capital have moved.

“The trip to Haiti was an eye-opening experience; it was an awakening for me,” Baker said. “Most people don’t think of this kind of poverty being just an hour and a half by plane from Florida. Looking at pictures doesn’t do it justice. Until you have walked where they walk, and smelled what they smell, you really cannot understand.”

To donate, go to foodforthepoor.org/HomesForHaiti or text “Haiti” to 25383 and donate $10.

Food For The Poor, the largest international relief and development organization in the nation, does much more than feed millions of hungry poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. This interdenominational Christian agency provides emergency relief assistance, clean water, medicines, educational materials, homes, support for orphans and the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance, with more than 96 percent of all donations going directly to programs that help the poor. For more information, please visit www.FoodForThePoor.org.

St. George’s College in Jamaica Inducts South Florida-based Nonprofit Leader to Hall of Fame

As a student at St. George’s College in Jamaica, Robin Mahfood learned the virtues of integrity, charity and justice necessary to guide the largest international relief and development organization in the United States. Now, those qualities have earned him a place in the hall of fame.

Mahfood’s mission as President/ CEO of the nonprofit Food For The Poor, is to link the church of the First World with the church of the Third World to help both the materially poor and the poor in spirit. His dedication to improve the lives of others has earned him the honor of induction into his alma mater’s distinguished hall of fame on Sat., Sept. 18, at the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston. Additional honorees include Ambassador Anthony Hill, Professor Donald Clarke, Thomas Lyew and Father Denis Cruchley.

“Robin and I were both trained by the Jesuits,” said Angel Aloma, Executive Director of Food For The Poor and graduate of St. George’s College. “The Jesuits emphasized the importance of service to the poor and needy. Similar to the responsibilities of our Jesuit Brothers, Robin’s daily decisions impact Food For The Poor’s ability to build schools, homes and vocational training centers, care for the sick, elderly and orphaned and restore the poor’s ability to dream again.”

Recognizing the importance of education, Mahfood has implemented initiatives designed to encourage destitute parents to send their children to school rather than take them to beg or search garbage dumps for recyclable materials. School feeding programs, marching band programs and the installation of water pumps are a few ways Mahfood helps children to discover their potential and passions, while avoiding the lure of gangs, guns and drugs.

“Children today face tremendous challenges and need faith and guidance in their lives,” said Mahfood. “The lack of access to safe, clean fresh water, keeps many young girls from attending school. Forced to walk for miles in search of water to collect for their family’s needs, they return home carrying containers on their heads that can weigh 40 or more pounds. By drilling water wells and encouraging youths to pick up a musical instrument instead of a gun, we can make a positive difference – one person, one family at a time.”

As a student at St. George’s College, Mahfood was inspired by the Jesuit school’s motto, “Ad majorem Dei gloriam” (“For the greater glory of God”). This Latin phase is engraved in brick above the school’s main North Street entrance.

Under the leadership of Mahfood, Food For The Poor has experienced impressive growth while maintaining an operating expense ratio under 4 percent. The organization is consistently recognized by Forbes Magazine for its exemplary charitable commitment and fundraising efficiency ratios.

Past honorees include: Jamaican engineer Joseph Aloysius Kelly; the faithful and generous Father Roy Campbell, S.J.; scientist Professor Anthony Chen; community developer and visionary Robert Vernon; and football player and athlete Karl Largie.

Food For The Poor, the largest international relief and development organization in the nation, does much more than feed millions of hungry poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. This interdenominational Christian agency provides emergency relief assistance, clean water, medicines, educational materials, homes, support for orphans and the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance, with more than 96 percent of all donations going directly to programs that help the poor. For more information, please visit www.FoodForThePoor.org.

Pastor in Cherry Picker Reaches Backpack Campaign Goal

The lead pastor of Coastal Community Church who perched himself on a cherry picker to collect backpacks has met his goal and is back on solid ground. With the help of Food For The Poor, T.J. McCormick will be able to distribute 1,500 backpacks to local children.

On Tuesday McCormick moved into his temporary home in the sky. Today he informed Food For The Poor he had collected 750 backpacks. The organization’s commitment to match his collection totals 1,500 backpacks for the children in Pompano Beach’s Collier City, one of South Florida’s forgotten communities.

“I don’t think I would have lasted another day up there in this South Florida heat, but it was worth it. It was also a real blessing Food For The Poor stepped in when it did to help us reach our goal,” said T.J. McCormick, lead pastor.

The Coconut Creek church is new in the area and for now they meet at a local high school. “This is not a gimmick or stunt, we want to help, and we care about the needs in the Collier City community,” said Jonathan Duncan, worship pastor.

After learning about the project, Food For The Poor made the commitment to help. Food For The Poor will also donate additional school supplies. The pastors and a representative from Food For The Poor will deliver the backpacks to the community on Aug. 21. To learn more about the campaign, go to www.backpacksorbust.org.

Food For The Poor, the largest international relief and development organization in the nation, does much more than feed the millions of hungry poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. This interdenominational Christian agency provides emergency relief assistance, clean water, medicines, educational materials, homes, support for orphans and the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance, with more than 96 percent of all donations going directly to programs that help the poor. To learn more, please visit www.FoodForThePoor.org.

Taiwan ICDF Honors Commitment to Nonprofit

The government of Taiwan, through their International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF), has partnered with Food For The Poor to outfit schools and orphanages in Haiti with 1,020 computer workstations.

The Taiwanese embassy will work closely with the international relief and development organization to select schools that are eligible to receive the computer workstations. Recognizing that education and technology are crucial to break the cycle of poverty, the Taiwan ICDF has pledged technical support, and to develop grade-level specific software to assist teachers and students in the classroom.

In addition to educational supplies, Taiwan ICDF also is donating much-needed rice. At one time, Taiwan ICDF shipped 40 containers of rice a month to Food For The Poor-Haiti for distribution. Through this joint initiative, hundreds of thousands of school children and adults in the most destitute areas of the Haiti were provided life-saving food.

Since the catastrophic Jan. 12 earthquake, Food For The Poor continues to feed an ever-increasing number of Haitians who are in desperate need of assistance. Joint initiatives with Taiwan ICDF include in-country production of food through agriculture, farm-raised fish and livestock breeding – self-sustainable initiatives that teach people how to earn a living.

A Taiwan ICDF tilapia expert worked with Food For The Poor this year to increase the production of tilapia and basa in Haiti. These fish ponds both eliminate hunger and provide an entire village with a sustainable source of food and income. Currently there are more than 30 ponds in Haiti.

“The Taiwan ICDF humanitarian commitment to Food For The Poor on behalf of the poorest of the poor has been an incredible blessing to millions,” said Robin Mahfood, President/CEO of Food For The Poor. “We are extremely grateful to the people of Taiwan and Taiwan ICDF for all they have done to help our poorest brothers and sisters.”

In October 2009, Taiwan ICDF delegates traveled to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, to meet with Food For The Poor’s President/CEO and Executive Director to discuss opportunities for future partnerships. During the trip, Taiwan ICDF delegates rolled up their sleeves to help serve some of the more than 15,000 hot meals that are cooked and distributed at Food For The Poor’s warehouse and complex, six days a week. Delegates also visited Food For The Poor-sponsored schools, orphanages and handicapped homes.

Taiwan ICDF cooperates with Food For The Poor in agriculture, aquaculture and animal husbandry projects in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua.

Food For The Poor, the largest international relief and development organization in the nation, does much more than feed millions of hungry poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. This interdenominational Christian agency provides emergency relief assistance, clean water, medicines, educational materials, homes, support for orphans and the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance, with more than 96 percent of all donations going directly to programs that help the poor.

For more information, please visit www.FoodForThePoor.org.