Fine Wines Pre-Event

Worth Avenue Stores Open Doors to Support Food For The Poor

	(L to R) Arlette Gordon, Danielle Ortiz and Elizabeth Bowden. On Jan. 13, 2015, Food For The Poor’s Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures gala committee will host a pre-event party at Daniella Ortiz, a Worth Avenue store.
Related Items: Request an Invitation by Email Click Here for More Event Details

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Nov. 10, 2014) – Members of Food For The Poor’s Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures gala committee will host pre-event parties at two Worth Avenue stores. A percentage of the proceeds from sales at both events will be donated to the gala’s house-building initiative in Jamaica.

Committee member Moneca Kaufmann will host a kickoff reception on Dec. 4 at Kaufmann de Suisse Jewelry Designers, 210 Worth Avenue, Palm Beach, FL 33480. Sip champagne and nibble on hors d’oeuvres while shopping for a dazzling piece of jewelry for your loved one. Valet parking will be provided.

Daniella and Alfredo Ortiz also will host a pre-event party to support the house-building initiative on Jan. 13, at Daniella Ortiz, 256 Worth Ave., Palm Beach, FL 33480. Refreshments and hors d’oeuvres will be served. A percentage of the proceeds from sales that evening will be donated to Food For The Poor.

A bag designed by Daniella Ortiz will be donated for the gala’s silent auction. Specializing in fine leather and exotic-skinned handbags and one-of-a-kind fashion jewelry pieces, Daniella Ortiz has made a splash on the fashion scene, with boutiques on Worth Avenue and at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando.

Food For The Poor’s 12th annual Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures gala is chaired by distinguished Palm Beach philanthropists Melania and Donald J. Trump (National Honorary Chairs), Patrick Park (Honorary Chair), Arlette Gordon and Elizabeth Bowden (Gala Co-Chairs), Hermé de Wyman Miro (International Chair), Mary Frances Turner (Ladies' Committee Chair) and Russell Sherrill (Gentlemen's Committee Chair).

The Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures gala will open with a superb wine-tasting reception provided by Antinori Winery, Dreyfus Ashby & Co. and Trump Winery. One of Charlie’s most beloved angels, actress Cheryl Ladd will speak at the gala. The evening will culminate with a five-course gourmet dinner and wine pairing. Exotic escapes, jewelry, fine wines and golf packages are among the varied prizes in the silent and live auctions.

The Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures 2015 committee members include Irma Anapol, Michael Cinque, Michael Dixon, Jean Dolan, Barbara Gilbert, Emilio Guerra, Lorrain and Malcolm Hall, Helene Karp, Moneca Kaufmann, Debbie LaSorte, Toni Arpaia May, Faith Morford, Michael Nadeau, Sally O’Connor, Daniella and Alfredo Ortiz, Patsy and Leslie Spero, Carol Weltz, Gail Worth and Olimpia Zuccarelli.

To request an invitation to the Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures gala, or for additional information regarding tickets, sponsorship and benefactor levels, please call 1-888-404-4248 or email carolc@foodforthepoor.org. Proceeds from the 2015 Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures gala will be used to build homes for destitute families in Jamaica.

Food For The Poor, named by The Chronicle of Philanthropy as the largest international relief and development organization in the nation, does much more than feed millions of the hungry poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. This interdenominational Christian ministry 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 95 percent of all donations going directly to programs that help the poor. For more information, please visit www.FoodForThePoor.org.

Palm Beach Gala Chairs

Food For The Poor Announces
2015 Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures Gala Committee

	Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures gala chairs include (L-R) Arlette Gordon, Donald Trump and Elizabeth Bowden.
Related Item: View Photos from the 2014 Gala

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (June 11, 2014) – Food For The Poor’s 12th annual Palm Beach Gala, Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures, will be Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015, at The Mar-a-Lago Club. The annual event is chaired by distinguished Palm Beach philanthropists Donald and Melania Trump (National Honorary Chairs), Patrick Park (Honorary Chair), Arlette Gordon and Elizabeth Bowden (Gala Co-Chairs), and Herme de Wyman Miro (International Chair).

The Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures gala will open with a superb wine-tasting reception. Exotic escapes, jewelry, and fine wines are among the varied prizes in the silent and live auctions. The evening will culminate with a three-course gourmet dinner and wine pairing.

The Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures 2015 committee members include Michael Dixon, Emilio Guerra, Malcolm and Lorrain Hall, Moneca Kaufmann, Tova Leidesdorf, Faith Morford, Michael Nadeau, Daniella and Alfredo Ortiz, and Carol Weltz.

For additional information regarding the Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures gala, tickets, sponsorship and benefactor levels, please call 1-888-404-4248 or email carolc@foodforthepoor.org.

Food For The Poor, named by The Chronicle of Philanthropy as the largest international relief and development organization in the nation, does much more than feed millions of the hungry poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. This interdenominational Christian ministry 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 95 percent of all donations going directly to programs that help the poor. For more information, please visit www.FoodForThePoor.org.

Pre-party for gala

	The community of Rancho Nuevo is in dire need of potable water. The majority of the residents there are currently getting their drinking water from local springs, a water source that looks clean, but is contaminated with life threatening bacteria and parasites.
Related Item: See Photos of the Projects

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Dec. 20, 2013) – UPS is helping to improve the lives of dozens of families in the Dominican Republic with the international relief and development organization Food For The Poor.   

The UPS project will provide for the installation of a 12,000 gallon concrete water tank, which will house and pump clean well water for the tiny community of Rancho Nuevo, near Puerto Plata, and the construction of a 3,000 square-feet greenhouse in Batey Antonci, Monte Plata.

Helping families to become self-sustaining by way of agriculture is a key strategy of Food For The Poor. The greenhouse in the farming community of Batey Antonci will produce 2,400 pounds of fruits and vegetables four times a year, providing the community with a year-round supply of nutritious foods and agricultural training. This greenhouse project will be operated by local farmers, which will be a source of employment for many of the town’s residents.

“Food For The Poor began working in the Dominican Republic 13 years ago and is committed to breaking the cycle of poverty in the Caribbean country by creating opportunities for people to help themselves,” said Robin Mahfood, President and CEO of Food For The Poor. “It is important to educate those in the farming communities on how to plant, grow and harvest a better crop for a self-sustaining food source, and as a source of income.”

The greenhouse facility also will have a drip irrigation system fed by a water reservoir and underground supply lines, which will be installed by Food For The Poor.

The community of Rancho Nuevo is in dire need of access to potable water. The majority of the residents there are currently getting their drinking water from local springs, a water source that looks clean, but is contaminated with life-threatening bacteria and parasites. Many of the children suffer with diarrhea and a variety of waterborne health problems as a result.

Food For The Poor’s development team has determined it will take 30 days to install the water project.  Once the water tank is fully operational, piping installed from the tank will run water lines to as many homes as possible or to a community location, providing clean water with the twist of the faucet.

Food For The Poor, named by The Chronicle of Philanthropy as the largest international relief and development organization in the nation, does much more than feed millions of the hungry poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. This interdenominational Christian ministry 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 95 percent of all donations going directly to programs that help the poor.

       

Reggae Entertainers Tarrus Riley and Dean Fraser To Perform at Food For The Poor’s Building Hope Gala

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Jan. 10, 2013) – Award-winning reggae artist Tarrus Riley and saxophonist Dean Fraser have partnered with the South Florida-based nonprofit Food For The Poor to help build desperately needed homes for the destitute in Jamaica. Riley and Fraser will perform at Food For The Poor’s annual Building Hope Gala on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013 at The Polo Club of Boca Raton.

Proceeds from the gala will build safe and secure new homes with sanitation for 65 impoverished families in Canaan Heights in May Pen, Jamaica. Attendees will be invited to create a legacy by pledging to build critically-needed houses during the charity’s live house-rally.Celebrated Jamaican-American reggae artist Riley is famous for his hit singles “Stay With You” and “She’s Royal.” The EME Awards (Excellence in Music and Entertainment) honored Riley as Male Vocalist of the Year (2011) and Cultural Artiste of the Year (2011). Riley also won the Youth View Award for Cultural Artiste of the Year (2011). In 2012, with the release of the acoustic album “Mecoustic,” Riley, Fraser and the Blak Soil band toured Europe.

Jamaican saxophonist Fraser has contributed to hundreds of reggae recordings, including the instrumental version of Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song” and toured extensively with Luciano. In 1993, he was awarded the Musgrave Medal by the Jamaican government in recognition of his services to music. Recently, the hit maker has been recording, producing and touring with singers Riley and Duane Stephenson.
For additional information regarding the 2013 Building Hope Gala, sponsorship levels, and tickets, available at $250 per person, please call 1-888-404-4248 or visit www.FoodForThePoor.org/boca.

Committee members for the 2013 Building Hope Gala include Laurie Braden, Kelly Brauner, Becky Carlsson, Melissa Davimos, Ronda Ellis Ged, Ronda Gluck, Michele Greene, LaMae Klos, Robin Ranzal Knowles, Julie Mahfood, Rene Mahfood, Pamela Matsil, Cathy Moabery, Jill Perea, Tashia Rahl, Kara Seelye, Natasha Singh, Renee Stetler, Holly Strogoff, Allison Venditti, Patricia Wallace, and Traci Wilson.

“The Building Hope Gala is not just a saying – we are building hope and homes for families,” said Becky Carlsson, a gala committee member, after her December 2012 trip to Jamaica. “I am amazed that it is 2012 and that people live in such extreme poverty.”
Master of ceremonies, Jason Martinez, co-anchor for WPLG-TV ABC Local 10 Morning News and Local 10 News at Noon, traveled to Jamaica in August to cover the island’s golden jubilee.

Gala sponsors include AKA Printing and Mailing, Aljoma Lumber, American Nicaraguan Foundation, Bank United, Bluegreen Corporation, The Boca Raton Observer, Dennis Charley & Associates, Inc., Dusco Doors, Ellis, Ged, & Bodden,  Franklin Dodd Communications, GA Telesis, Gregory’s Fine Jewelry, Quadriga Art, LLC, Seaboard Marine, TD Bank, and VITAS Innovative Hospice Care.

Food For The Poor, named by The Chronicle of Philanthropy as the largest international relief and development organization in the nation, does much more than feed millions of the hungry poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America.
This interdenominational Christian ministry 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.

Patrick Park to join Arlette Gordon and Elizabeth Bowden as the 2013 Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures chairmen

Food For The Poor’s 10th annual Palm Beach Gala, Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures will be Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013, at The Mar-a-Lago Club, Palm Beach. The annual event is chaired by distinguished Palm Beach philanthropists Patrick Park (Grand Honorary Chair), Arlette Gordon and Elizabeth Bowden (Honorary Chairs), Herme de Wyman Miro (International Chair), Mary Frances Turner (Ladies Committee Chair) and Russell Sherrill (Men’s Committee Chair).

The Palm Beach community has worked to transform Gordon’s Village in Bluefields, Jamaica, since 2007. Proceeds from the 2013 Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures Gala will fund the expansion and renovation of Bluefields Health Centre. The clinic serves 25,000 residents with preventive and basic medical services, including pre- and post-natal care and pediatric care.

“Current clinic conditions are severely cramped and inadequate,” said Susan James, Food For The Poor’s Jamaica Country Manager. “Due to overcrowding in the waiting room, patients needing treatment, including pregnant mothers and sick children, often have to sit outside on the ground. With much needed renovation and expansion, the staff will be better equipped to provide medical service and patient care to those in the community.” 

In November, construction on the school named in Robert G. Gordon’s memory, near Gordon’s Village, will be completed. The school will serve approximately 100 disadvantaged children, and was funded with proceeds from the 2012 Palm Beach gala.

The Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures Gala opens with a superb wine tasting reception of selected wines sponsored by Dreyfus, Ashby & Co. Unique wine selections, jewelry and exotic escapes to such places as Hong Kong are among the varied prizes in the silent and live auctions. The evening culminates with a 4-course gourmet dinner and wine pairing.

For additional information regarding the Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures event, tickets, sponsorship and benefactor levels, please call 1-888-404-4248 or visit www.FoodForThePoor.org/palmbeach.

Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures 2013 committee members also include Franklyn de Marco, Michael Dixon, Henry and Mary Virginia Fong, Karen Mason, and Renee Smith.

Food For The Poor, named by The Chronicle of Philanthropy as the largest international relief and development organization in the nation, does much more than feed millions of the hungry poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. This interdenominational Christian ministry 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.

Contact:
Jennifer Leigh Oates
Food For The Poor
Public Relations
954-427-2222 x 6054
jennifero@foodforthepoor.com

Philanthropists unite to celebrate one of Palm Beach’s finest treasures, Robert G. Gordon

Palm Beach philanthropists Arlette Gordon (Honorary Chairwoman) and Elizabeth Bowden (Honorary Chairwoman) joined Paul Marino (Event Chairman) on stage at Food For The Poor’s ninth-annual Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures gala Sunday night to honor Arlette’s late husband, Robert G. Gordon, one of Palm Beach’s finest treasures. Proceeds from the Jan. 29 gala at The Breakers Palm Beach will build a critically needed school for over 100 disadvantaged children in and around Gordon’s Cove in Bluefields, Jamaica.

“Tonight honors my darling husband,” said Arlette. “One of Bob’s greatest pleasures was his involvement as Chairperson for the past several Food For The Poor Palm Beach Galas. During his lifetime, funds were raised to build Gordon’s Cove, a sustainable fishing village and community.”

Food For The Poor’s gala began with a superb wine tasting reception with selected wines to enhance the five-course menu compliments of Dreyfus, Ashby & Co., and Republic National Distributing Company. Throughout the reception, unique wine selections, jewelry and exotic escapes to Hong Kong and Montego Bay, Jamaica, were among the various silent and live auction prizes.

“Over the years, many families in Jamaica have benefited from life-transforming gifts through the generosity of the Palm Beach community,” said Marino. “They have lifesaving food, housing, and the ability to earn an income through Gordon’s Fishing Village, and now, an opportunity to provide their children with an education. Thank you for transforming the lives of the suffering into lives filled with hope for the future.”

As a tribute to Robert’s epicurean reputation, known throughout Palm Beach, the menu he personally selected last year was given rebirth at this year’s event. Early in the evening, Marino and the men stood to toast Robert’s legacy, as he was recognized as one of the area’s most generous philanthropists and past Bailli-Confrérie de las Chaines des Rôtisseurs for 25 years.

“Tonight we will enjoy some of the things Robert truly loved: wonderful food, great wine and the company of good friends and family,” said Bowden, Honorary Chairwoman and Silver Benefactor. “Food For The Poor held a special place in his heart and through their efforts and the support of many of the guests here tonight, hundreds of the poor in Jamaica have a promising future.”

Bowden, a dear family friend who previously traveled to Hong Kong with the couple, alluded to the fact that even if there is no smoking in heaven, Robert would find a corner to smoke his cigars.

Arlette thanked Patrick Park for graciously committing to be the charity’s International Honorary Benefactor. Park pledged to double his monetary support this year to help fund the school. Arlette then mentioned Grand, Silver and Bronze Benefactors by name, thanking them individually for supporting Food For The Poor’s mission.

The Grand Benefactor was Florence DeGeorge. Bronze Benefactors included Helen Bernstein, Helen Bernstein-Fealy, Paula and Robert Butler, Henry and Mary Virginia Fong, The Frankino Foundation, Stanley and Helene Karp, Howard and Michele Kessler, Charlotte Kimelman, Hermé de Wyman Miro, The International Society of Palm Beach, Lois Pope, and Ari Rifkin.

“Food For The Poor was Bob’s favorite cause,” said Harold Stayman. “He had such respect for its management and Arlette has continued his generosity. Tonight when you take a few sips of your favorite wine, think of Bob.”

During the live auction, the crowd rallied in support of Food For The Poor’s mission. One of the live auction prizes included a PGA Championship seven-day pass to Kiawah Island Golf Resort in S.C. with airfare for two.

“Let’s honor Robert’s legacy and let him be immortal in Jamaica,” said Angel Aloma, Food For The Poor’s Executive Director. Aloma explained how, with the basic human needs fulfilled in Gordon’s Cove, it is now appropriate that the focus be on education.

Gala sponsors included American Nicaraguan Foundation, Dreyfus, Ashby & Co., Russ Reid Company, Republic National Distributing Company, and TerraGroup.

For additional information regarding the Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures event, please call 1-888-404-4248 or visit www.foodforthepoor.org/palmbeach.

Food For The Poor, the largest international relief and development organization in the nation, does much more than feed millions of the hungry poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. This interdenominational Christian ministry 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.

Contact:
Jennifer Leigh Oates
Food For The Poor
Public Relations
954-427-2222 x 6054
jennifero@foodforthepoor.com

Palm Beach philanthropists to celebrate life of Robert G. Gordon at Food For The Poor’s Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures Gala

Food For The Poor’s ninth annual Palm Beach Gala, Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures, will be Sunday, January 29, 2012, at The Breakers, Palm Beach. The annual event is chaired by distinguished Palm Beach philanthropists Arlette Gordon and Elizabeth Bowden (Honorary Chairwomen), and Paul Marino (Event Chairman).

The gala will honor the life of Robert G. Gordon, one of Palm Beach’s finest treasures. With a passion for both culinary achievement and charitable giving, Robert and Arlette Gordon served for five years as the gala’s Honorary Chairpersons. Together, the Gordon’s invited members of the Palm Beach community to become involved in this philanthropic cause and transform lives of poverty and suffering into ones filled with hope and thanksgiving.

“Robert and I considered it an honor to be part of Food For The Poor’s Palm Beach Gala,” said Arlette Gordon. “Robert prided himself on recognizing good company, wine, food and efficient philanthropic giving. He was impressed that more than 96 percent of all donations to Food For The Poor go to programs that directly benefit the poor.”

This year’s proceeds will be used to build a critically needed school in Robert Gordon’s honor to benefit approximately 100 disadvantaged children near Gordon’s Village in Bluefields, Jamaica. In developing countries, school classes are sometimes held under a tree or in a dilapidated building. Both of these scenarios make it difficult for the students to concentrate on their studies.

“We believe education is the foundation for a successful future,” said Arlette Gordon. “Robert would be touched by the generosity of his friends to know that so many had gathered together to build a school in his honor to extend his legacy.”

Food For The Poor’s Palm Beach Gala will begin with a superb wine tasting reception with selected wines compliments of Republic National Distributing Company, and Dreyfus, Ashby & Co. Throughout the reception, unique wine selections, jewelry and exotic escapes to such places as Hong Kong are among the varied silent and live auction prizes. The event’s wine sponsors specially paired fine wines to enhance each of the five courses and to highlight the executive chefs and restaurants of The Breakers, Palm Beach.

“Robert’s love of life was large, so it’s only fitting that at this year’s gala we honor him by serving some of his favorite things,” said Marino. “It was through his efforts and years of dedication that we were able to build an entire community in Bluefields, Jamaica. We cherish it in his memory – Gordon’s Cove.”

For additional information regarding the Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures event, benefactor levels, and tickets, available at $450 per person, please call 1-888-404-4248 or visit www.FoodForThePoor.org/palmbeach.

Proceeds from Food For The Poor’s previous Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures - The Best of Palm Beach galas raised funds to establish a self-sustainable fishing village in Bluefields, Jamaica. The project replaced dilapidated shacks with more than 125 safe, permanent houses, a school for 80 children, a fish processing facility, and provided residents with access to water and sanitation.

In addition to Food For The Poor’s International mission, the organization also supports many charities in Palm Beach and Broward counties.

Grand benefactors include Florence DeGeorge. Benefactors include Elizabeth Bowden, Arlette Gordon, Helene and Stanley Karp, Lois Pope, and Hermé de Wyman Miro – The International Society of Palm Beach. Gala sponsors include Dreyfus, Ashby & Co., Russ Reid Company, Republic National Distributing Company, TerraGroup and The Frankino Foundation.

Food For The Poor, the largest international relief and development organization in the nation, does much more than feed millions of the hungry poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. This interdenominational Christian ministry 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.

Contact:
Jennifer Leigh Oates
Food For The Poor
Public Relations
954-427-2222 x 6054
jennifero@foodforthepoor.com

Compassionate Palm Beach Philanthropists Unite to Build Homes

Palm Beach philanthropists Robert G. and Arlette Gordon (Grand Honorary Chairpersons) joined Elizabeth Bowden (Gala Chairwoman) and Paul Marino (Event Chairman) on stage at Food For The Poor’s eighth-annual Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures gala on Jan. 30 at The Breakers, Palm Beach.

Food For The Poor’s gala began with a superb wine tasting reception with selected wines compliments of Dreyfus, Ashby & Co., and Republic National Distributing Company. Throughout the reception, unique wine selections, jewelry and exotic escapes were among the varied silent and live auction prizes.

Once in the ballroom Arlette Gordon thanked Patrick Park and Nathalie Fernandez for graciously committing to be the charity’s platinum benefactors. She then mentioned Silver and Gala benefactors by name, thanking them individually for their support to build critically needed homes in developing countries.

Silver benefactors include Elizabeth Bowden, Florence DeGeorge, Robert G. and Arlette Gordon, and Howard and Michele Kessler. Gala benefactors include Helen Bernstein, Stanley and Helene Karp, Charlotte Kimelman, Henry Fong and Mary Virginia Knight, Anneliese Langner, Hermé de Wyman Miro – The International Society of Palm Beach, Patty Myura – Eleanor Reeves Foundation, and Ari Rifkin.

After Arlette Gordon briefly reminisced on their friendship and travel excursions, Bowden attributed her becoming a supporter of Food For The Poor to Arlette Gordon.

“Living on this beautiful island, it is hard to imagine the horrific living conditions that exist in Haiti,” said Bowden. “More than a million Haitians were displaced immediately following the earthquake, and they struggle daily to find food, safe drinking water and shelter. By supporting Food For The Poor’s “Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures” gala, you, too, can help provide permanent housing for those who have nowhere to call home.”

The Breakers Executive Chef Jeff Simms described the five-course menu that featured each of The Breakers’ restaurants, and mentioned the specially selected fine wines that were chosen to enhance each course. Robert Gordon’s epicurean reputation is known throughout Palm Beach, and for many years he has been recognized as one of the area’s most generous philanthropists and past Bailli-Confrérie de las Chaines des Rôtisseurs.

“Food For The Poor is one of those charities that does not just send money,” said Robert Gordon. “They make sure the supplies reach those who need them the most. Food For The Poor is a good steward with donations – more than 96 percent of all donations go directly to programs that help the poor.”

Angel Aloma, Food For The Poor’s Executive Director, began by thanking the Gordons, Elizabeth Bowden and Paul Marino for all they have done through the years to introduce Food The Poor to the Palm Beach community.

Aloma recalled how a few days before last year’s event he returned from the devastated country of Haiti. As of December 2010, he said Food For The Poor had shipped 1,465 tractor-trailer loads of food, water, medicines and other lifesaving relief aid valued at $205 million to Haiti. More than 1,589 permanent two-room homes with sanitation units and access to water have also been built to house displaced earthquake victims. Members of the crowd applauded when Aloma said the $20.7 million dollars collected as Haiti emergency earthquake relief funds by Food For The Poor had been spent by the end of October 2010.

Then Aloma introduced Ray Mou, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Miami (Taiwan), the gala’s Grand Benefactor. He described Mou as a wonderful man and poet.

“Half a century ago, between 1949 and 1965, Taiwan received nearly a $1.5 billion loan and grant from the United States to reconstruct its economy after World War II,” said Mou. “Now, as the twenty-fourth largest economy in the world we are no longer a recipient state. We actively lend a helping hand to people in need. The ultimate purpose of our humanitarian diplomacy is to promote humanity and to ask for nothing back in return. We wish we could do more to help the Global Village.”

Mou said the Taiwanese did not hesitate to help following the earthquake in Haiti. Joint initiatives between Taiwan ICDF and Food For The Poor include feeding the destitute, and the in-country production of food through agriculture, farm-raised fish and livestock breeding – self-sustainable initiatives that teach people how to earn a living. In 2010, Taiwan ICDF donated 1,250 tons of rice to Food For The Poor.

During the live auction, Curt Fonger, master of ceremonies and CBS WPEC Channel 12’s weeknight anchor, rallied the crowd in support of Food For The Poor’s mission. Auction prizes included exotic vacation destinations such as Hong Kong and Montego Bay, Jamaica. The third item to be auctioned was one of Oprah Winfrey’s Favorite Things. A donor gave the Philip Stein, diamond-bezel watch to Food For The Poor, so monies raised could assist with the charity’s house building effort.

Earlier in the evening, Aloma thanked attendees for their gift of presence, telling the audience that every dance helps to wipe away tears; every course helps bring back people on the verge of despair; and every sip of wine gives people back the ability to dream. The performances by La Mystique enthralled guests and filled the dance floor.

Gala sponsors included American Nicaraguan Foundation, Dreyfus, Ashby & Co., Russ Reid Company, Republic National Distributing Company, and TerraGroup.

For additional information regarding the Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures event, please call 1-888-404-4248 or visit the event page online.

Food For The Poor, the third-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. We provide 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.

Contact:
Jennifer Leigh Oates
Food For The Poor
954-427-2222 x 6054
jennifero@foodforthepoor.com

Palm Beach Philanthropists Support Food For The Poor’s Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures gala

Food For The Poor’s eighth annual Palm Beach gala, Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures will be held Sunday, January 30, 2011, at The Breakers, Palm Beach. The annual event is chaired by distinguished Palm Beach philanthropists Robert G. and Arlette Gordon (Grand Honorary Chairpersons), Elizabeth Bowden (Gala Chairwoman), and Paul Marino (Event Chairman).

With a passion for both culinary achievement and charitable giving, Grand Honorary Chairpersons Robert and Arlette Gordon and Gala Chairwoman Elizabeth Bowden, invite you to become involved in this philanthropic cause and transform lives of poverty and suffering into ones filled with hope and thanksgiving. Proceeds will be used to build desperately needed homes for destitute families in developing countries throughout the Caribbean and Latin America.

Food For The Poor’s gala will begin with a superb wine tasting reception with selected wines compliments of Dreyfus, Ashby & Co., and Republic National Distributing Company. Throughout the reception, unique wine selections, jewelry and exotic escapes are among the varied silent and live auction prizes. Specially selected fine wines will be chosen to enhance each course and to highlight the executive chefs and restaurants of The Breakers. Additionally, Broadway-inspired performances by La Mystique are certain to enthrall guests.

Patrick Park and Nathalie Fernandez have graciously committed to be the charity’s platinum benefactors. Silver benefactors include Elizabeth Bowden, Florence DeGeorge, Robert and Arlette Gordon, and Howard and Michele Kessler. Gala benefactors include Helen Bernstein, Stanley and Helene Karp, Henry Fong and Mary Virginia Knight, Anneliese Langner, Hermé de Wyman Miro – The International Society of Palm Beach, and Ari Rifkin.

Ray Mou, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Miami (Taiwan), has been named the gala’s Grand Benefactor. Joint initiatives between Taiwan ICDF and Food For The Poor include feeding the destitute, and the in-country production of food through agriculture, farm-raised fish and livestock breeding – self-sustainable initiatives that teach people how to earn a living.

Gala sponsors to include American Nicaraguan Foundation, Dreyfus, Ashby & Co., Russ Reid Company, Republic National Distributing Company, and TerraGroup.

Master of ceremonies for Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures is CBS WPEC Channel 12’s weeknight anchor Curt Fonger. Fonger is an avid philanthropist, who has supported Food For The Poor’s mission for many years. Immediately following the Jan. 12 earthquake Fonger reached out to Food For The Poor to ask how he and the Palm Beach community could help the people of Haiti.

For additional information regarding the Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures event, benefactor levels, and tickets, available at $450 per person, please call 1-888-404-4248 or visit www.foodforthepoor.org/palmbeach.

Food For The Poor, the third-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. We provide 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.

Palm Beach Philanthropists Prepare for FFP gala

Food For The Poor’s eighth annual Palm Beach gala, Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures will be held Sunday, January 30, 2011, at The Breakers, Palm Beach. The annual event is chaired by distinguished Palm Beach philanthropists Robert G. and Arlette Gordon (Grand Honorary Chairpersons), and Elizabeth Bowden (Gala Chairwoman).

With a passion for both culinary achievement and charitable giving, Grand Honorary Chairpersons Robert and Arlette Gordon and Gala Chairwoman Elizabeth Bowden, invite you to become involved in this philanthropic cause and transform lives of poverty and suffering into ones filled with hope and thanksgiving.

Food For The Poor’s gala will begin with a superb wine tasting reception with selected wines compliments of Dreyfus, Ashby & Co., and Republic National Distributing Company. Throughout the reception, unique wine selections, jewelry and exotic escapes are among the varied silent and live auction prizes. Specially selected fine wines will be chosen to highlight each course prepared by the executive chefs of The Breakers. Additionally, Broadway-inspired performances by La Mystique are certain to enthrall guests.

Early event benefactors include Helen Bernstein, Elizabeth Bowden, Florence DeGeorge, Robert and Arlette Gordon, International Society of Palm Beach, Stanley and Helene Karp, Howard and Michele Kessler, and Henry Fong and Mary Virginia Knight. Gala sponsors to include American Nicaraguan Foundation, Dreyfus, Ashby & Co., Russ Reid Company, and Republic National Distributing Company.

For additional information regarding the Fine Wines & Hidden Treasures event, benefactor levels, and tickets, available at $450 per person, please call 1-888-404-4248 or visit www.foodforthepoor.org/palmbeach.

Food For The Poor, the third-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. We provide 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.