Two Charities’ Teamwork

Two Charities' Teamwork Feeds Millions

	Feed My Starving Children donates almost 200 tractor-trailer loads of rice casserole meals each year to Food For The Poor. This child holds a package of MannaPack, a rice casserole meal of dried vegetables, vitamins and soy. The two charities have been working together since 2008, and thousands of lives have been saved.
Related Item: View Photos of the Children Receiving the Food

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Dec. 19, 2014) – When the relationship between Feed My Starving Children and Food For The Poor started in 2009, no one anticipated that six years later it would add up to almost 50 million meals a year. But that was the total when the figures were tallied at the end of November 2014.

More than 180 tractor-trailer loads of lifesaving food were donated this year by Feed My Starving Children, and shipped by Food For The Poor to children and families threatened by extreme hunger and malnutrition throughout the Caribbean and Latin America.

Matt Muraski has been Vice President of International Programs with Feed My Starving Children since 2006. In that time, the Minnesota-based Christian ministry has grown from nine distribution partners to more than 70.

“Food For The Poor is one of our best partners. At first, it was daunting. Food For The Poor was so big, and we were so small. The partnership started with shipping an initial container to Food For The Poor and grew from there. It’s been built with a lot of trust and personal relationship-building,” Muraski said. “FFP’s efficiency and reach has enabled us to be innovative in food relief delivery.”

While pointing out the amount of food relief delivered and its importance, Muraski also noted the Christian impetus behind the charity's work.

“It’s what we do with the food beyond the bag, the true installation of hope and sharing. It is compassion as God would have it,” Muraski said.

The food is delivered in three forms: MannaPack rice meals with vegetables, vitamins and soy that makes six servings when combined with boiling water; a MannaPack Potato-D mix meant to help with dysentery-like cases; and MannaPack Potato-W that serves as a formula for babies whose mothers are too malnourished to provide adequate breast milk. The bags of dehydrated potatoes are mixed with boiling water, and each one provides 12 servings.

Volunteers pack the food at events around the United States, and the bags add up quickly. One container of bags contains 272,160 meals.

“While we have a very large and efficient Gifts In Kind department, food donations are difficult to come by,” said Mark Khouri, Director of Gifts In Kind at Food For The Poor. “We feed hundreds of thousands of people each day, and when we don’t get food donated, we must purchase it.

The relationship with Feed My Starving Children gives us access to a steady supply of nutritious food. It is literally saving lives.”

When Food For The Poor ships food or goods to those in need, staff often follow up to meet the people who are receiving help. Follow this link to watch how one Guatemalan mother is using MannaPacks to bring her children back to health, www.youtube.com/mannapack

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.

Futbol Donations

	Students at Marverley Primary and Junior High School in Kingston, Jamaica, are grateful to have One World Futbols. With access to more soccer balls, the students can now spend more time practicing.
Related Item: See the Children at Play

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (June 25, 2014) – One World Futbol and Food For The Poor have kicked-off their partnership with the distribution of 11,400 soccer balls in Jamaica and 6,000 soccer balls in Nicaragua. The goal is to teach children in disadvantaged communities about the healing power of play, and to restore their ability to dream. This announcement comes as the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team prepares to face off with Germany in their last match of  group play in the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ in Brazil.

“Traveling in developing countries throughout the Caribbean and Latin America, we often see children in poor neighborhoods kicking empty bottles, cans, or whatever they can scrounge up in place of a soccer ball,” said Angel Aloma, Executive Director of Food For The Poor.

Students at Marverley Primary and Junior High School used to play with a plastic bottle during recess until they received a donation of One World Futbols.

“The 15 balls received will make a big difference because we had none and we were actually wondering where we were going to get the funds to purchase what was needed, especially because there is no physical education budget at this time,” said Dorothy Taylor, Principal of Marverley Primary and Junior High School. “Now we have more than enough for the children to utilize. We can even include football as part of the extra-curricular sports activities for the summer school program.” 

“American soccer, also known as football in the countries we serve, is the most popular sport in the world,” said Aloma. “It’s a sport that is loved equally by the young and the old, the rich and the poor.”

Earlier this month, Bob Woodruff, co-anchor of ABC’s “World News Tonight,” recognized the inventors of the One World Futbol – Tim Jahnigen and his wife, Lisa Tarver – as they approach their goal to provide 1 million soccer balls to children throughout the world.

“It is a privilege to partner with One World Futbol to positively impact the lives of children worldwide,” said Aloma. “Every child should have the chance to experience the invigorating thrill of scoring a goal.”    

For every One World Futbol purchased, a second ball is donated to an organization that works with youth in disadvantaged communities worldwide. Unlike the average soccer ball that becomes worn over time, the One World Futbol is nearly indestructible. Even when punctured multiple times, it does not need a pump to inflate, and it never goes flat.

Richard Swanson, 42, also believed in One World Futbol’s mission to bring soccer balls to disadvantaged communities to foster social change. To raise money and awareness for the company's project, Swanson started to dribble a One World Futbol 10,000 miles to Brazil from Seattle to watch the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ games. Two weeks into the journey of a lifetime, Swanson was tragically hit by a pickup truck and died. For the duration of the World Cup 2014 donations can be made in his name at http://www.oneworldfutbol.com/campaigns/richardswanson/.

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.

#GivingTuesday

COCONUT Creek, Fla., (Nov. 25, 2013) – We have a day for giving thanks, why not a day for giving back? For the second year, Food For The Poor has joined #GivingTuesday, an initiative to harness the collective power of a unique blend of partners – charities, families, businesses and individuals – to transform how people think about, talk about, and participate in the giving season.

Coinciding with Thanksgiving, and the kickoff of the holiday shopping season, #GivingTuesday will inspire people to take collaborative action to improve their local communities. It will also inspire many to give back in better and smarter ways to the charities and causes they support, and help create a better world.

Taking place Dec. 3, 2013, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, #GivingTuesday will use the power of social media to create a national movement around the holidays, similar to how Black Friday and Cyber Monday have become days synonymous with holiday shopping.

“Food For The Poor is extremely honored be a part of #GivingTuesday. It is quickly becoming a global movement, which celebrates and encourages charitable activities that support nonprofit organizations,” said Angel Aloma, Executive Director of Food For The Poor. “It’s great to know that so many nonprofits, within the United States and internationally, are working together to make life better for as many people as possible.”

In 2012, more than 50 million people worldwide spread the word about #GivingTuesday resulting in a milestone trending on Twitter. The collective efforts of partners, donors and advocates also helped to fuel a marked increase in charitable giving.

Visit www.foodforthepoor.org/givingtuesday to support Food For The Poor’s #GivingTuesday initiative. You can also view the charity’s catalog video for creative ideas that will continue to change lives long after the holiday season has ended. For $10, you can give the gift of a fruit tree, or you can choose to give farm animals such as chickens, pigs, goats, donkeys and cows, which can provide an income and a source of nutrition for destitute families.

For more details about the #GivingTuesday movement, visit the #GivingTuesday website www.givingtuesday.org, Facebook page www.facebook.com/GivingTuesday or follow the #GivingTuesday hashtag on Twitter.

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.


        

Young Philanthropist Wins National Award For Building Homes in Haiti

A South Florida fifth grader who raised more than $162,000 to build homes for Haiti's poor has been named one of Florida's top two youth volunteers for 2011.

Rachel Wheeler, 11, was recognized by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program to honor young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism. The Lighthouse Point resident raised enough money to build 25 two-room Food For The Poor homes in Haiti. Rachel, who attends Zion Lutheran Christian School in Deerfield Beach, launched the campaign two years ago.

Rachel also has qualified to receive the President's Volunteer Service Awards, a prestigious national award that recognizes Americans of all ages who have dedicated their free time to serve both their country and their community. The awards will be distributed to more than 2,800 local honorees this year on behalf of President Barack Obama.

Rachel’s house-building initiative started when she visited Food For The Poor’s South Florida-based office and heard President/CEO Robin Mahfood speak about the desperate living conditions in Haiti, where mothers sometimes feed their children mud cookies to quell their hunger pangs.

“When I saw the before and after pictures of the families he has helped, I knew he was doing God’s work and I had to help,” said Rachel.

As donations flowed in, Rachel decided that instead of just reaching her original goal of building 13 houses, she would build an entire village, complete with sanitation, kitchenettes and potable water. Rachel’s village has been constructed in Leogane, Haiti, near the epicenter of the January 2010 earthquake.

“I would tell other young people that we are the future, and we need to stand up for those who have nothing,” said Rachel, who hopes to visit the village she has helped to build in Haiti later this year.

“From the first time we met, I knew to expect great things from Rachel,” said Mahfood. “Rachel has provided more than 25 families with more than a key to a permanent Food For The Poor house. Thanks to Rachel and her supporters – lives have been changed and saved.”

From April 30 to May 3, Rachel and the other 101 state honorees will travel to Washington, D.C., where they will tour the capital’s landmarks, attend a gala awards ceremony at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, and visit their congressional representatives on Capitol Hill. In addition, 10 of them – five middle level and five high school students – will be named National Honorees on May 2. These honorees will receive $5,000 awards, gold medallions, crystal trophies, and $5,000 grants from The Prudential Foundation for nonprofit, charitable organizations of their choice.
To continue to support Rachel’s house building initiative, tax-deductible donations can be made through the charity’s secure website.

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. 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.

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

Food For The Poor Preparing Haiti for Hurricane Tomas

Ten months after the merciless Jan. 12 earthquake killed hundreds of thousands and left the core of the Caribbean nation in ruins, and three weeks after a deadly cholera outbreak killed several hundred and sickened thousands, Haiti is facing down another potential disaster – Hurricane Tomas.

Weather experts are forecasting Hurricane Tomas will reach Haiti sometime between Friday and Saturday. With more than 1 million people still living in tent cities in and around Port-au-Prince, Food For The Poor is working quickly to provide aid.

“Stop and think about this situation; you have more than 1 million men, women and children living under tents. They have no protection whatsoever from the wind, rain and potential mudslides this storm is expected to bring,” said Food For The Poor President/CEO Robin Mahfood. “A hurricane is the last thing Haiti needs right now, but we can’t give up on the country and its people. We will do our best to help them to recover from these back-to-back disasters.”

Because the organization has been working in Haiti for more than 24 years, it was well-prepared to respond to the cholera outbreak last month by sending dozens of pallets of personal hygiene kits, emergency water, rehydration salts, and blankets.

Since the earthquake, Food For The Poor has shipped 1,241 containers of goods valued at $168 million and has built more than 1,500 concrete block two-roomed homes with sanitation units.

Right now, Food For The Poor is in a race against time to collect much-needed supplies: evaporated and condensed milk, canned mackerel, canned corn beef, canned chicken, sardines, Spam and Vienna sausages with an expiration date six months or longer; Powerade, Gatorade and Pedialyte; hygiene kits with soap, toothpaste, feminine personal care items and diapers. Food For The Poor is not accepting clothing, shoes or water; the organization obtains trailer loads of these items from donors.

Please visit www.FoodForThePoor.org/hurricane or make a $10 donation by texting “HAITI” to 25383.

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. 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.

Conditions in Haiti Worsen, CDC Investigates Spread of Disease

In response to reports that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating sudden multiple deaths in Haiti’s Artibonite region, Food For The Poor has started to secure and ship critically needed supplies.

Areas receiving immediate aid from Food For The Poor include, Poirier, Desdunes, Dokozel, Villard and Petit Reviere.

Critical items being sent are:
1) Medicines, including antibiotics and oral rehydration salts. Oral vaccinations may be necessary if the disease is identified as cholera.
2) Water filtration units that purify up to 10,000 gallons of clean water a day. Five units are being deployed from the Food For The Poor Port-au-Prince distribution center. Emergency water packets also will be shipped.
3) Hygiene kits with soap, toothpaste and other personal care items to help prevent spread of disease. Some supplies are prepositioned in the Port-au-Prince distribution center and an additional 57 pallets are ready to ship from the Coconut Creek distribution center starting Friday.
4) Blankets.
5) Gatorade and Pedialyte.

Due to the relatively quiet hurricane season in the Caribbean, Food For The Poor’s pre-positioned emergency relief items such as blankets and hygiene kits are ready to go. Food For The Poor plans to airfreight donations of antibiotics, oral rehydration salts, oral vaccinations, Gatorade and Pedialyte.

“January’s earthquake displaced more than one million people,” said Robin Mahfood, Food For The Poor’s President/CEO. “People in Haiti desperately need our help. Today in Haiti, destitute families have no option other than to live in garbage-filled swamps, and drink contaminated water – the same water they and the wild animals use to bathe. We have been afraid of this since the earthquake. We are praying for the people of Haiti, and we ask that everyone do the same.”

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. 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.