"Survivor: Nicaragua" Amputee Athlete Inspired by Father’s Legacy

Kelly Bruno, the fastest female amputee to finish the 2007 Ironman World Championship in Hawaii, will compete to survive the tribal battle on the 21st edition of the Emmy award-winning CBS TV series Survivor on Sept. 15.

An amputee since infancy, Bruno credits her father for her persistence to overcome challenges.

“I have always thought of myself as a strong person, but I think Survivor made me rethink the definition of strong,” said Bruno, a tribal member of La Flor. “Every day out there required a mindset founded on resolve. And I am a better and stronger person for every day I was out there.”

Her father, Dr. Richard Bruno, was in Haiti chaperoning a mission trip with Food For The Poor when the catastrophic earthquake devastated Port-au-Prince, instantly claiming hundreds of thousands of lives. Thousands of buildings and homes collapsed, including the Hotel Montana, where Dr. Bruno lost his life.
Dr. Bruno

“My father was there with Food For The Poor to bring hope and aid to people less fortunate,” said Bruno, a University of North Carolina medical student. “My dad was a doctor, a teacher and a humanitarian – he was always willing to help others, and strove daily to live his life to the fullest. His legacy will be carried on by all the lives he touched.”

During Bruno’s childhood she was fortunate to live abroad where she saw brief glimpses of others struggling with poverty. She said watching her dad and sister volunteer has inspired her to make a difference in the lives of others.

"I have always planned on incorporating medical mission trips into my career and now more so than ever,” said Bruno.

For more than a decade, Food For The Poor has worked in Nicaragua, the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. According to the World Bank, approximately 50 percent of the population lives in poverty, and lacks access to safe water. The leading causes of death among children under a year old are intestinal infectious diseases and malnutrition.

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.

Haitian Village Unites Rockford Residents

The nine-year involvement and steadfast support from northern Illinois residents ensured The Hope for Haitians Committee and Food For The Poor’s fundraising event, An Evening in the Tropics, was the most well-attended event ever with more than 340 guests. Masters of ceremonies for the event were the dedicated co-chairmen Tom Lorden, Pat Bachrodt and Peter Roche.

“The growth of this event over the last 10 years has been truly inspiring for us,” said Lorden. “We are most grateful to everyone who has participated in helping the truly poor people of Haiti.”

Residents from the Rockford/Chicago communities showed their commitment to assist Haiti’s rebuilding effort by attending the event at Giovanni’s restaurant. Proceeds will be used to help fund the construction of a self-sustaining village in Chastenoye, Cap-Haitien, Haiti.

Rockford’s Bishop, Most Reverend Thomas Doran, spoke at the event and endorsed the work of The Hope for Haitians Committee, through the international relief and development organization Food For The Poor. He fervently asked attendees to not forget the extreme needs of our brothers and sisters in Haiti.

Delane Bailey-Herd, Food For The Poor’s project manager for Haiti, shared experiences from her recent journeys to that country. Since the earthquake, she has witnessed the dire situation become increasingly desperate.

Fern Shore, a faithful event attendee for years, was so emotionally inspired by Bailey-Herd’s passionate plea on behalf of the poor that she wrote a letter. Shore inquired how she and others can donate to the charity’s mission, whether buying goats or building critically needed permanent shelter.

“What this group [The Hope for Haitians Committee and Food For The Poor] has accomplished is utterly amazing, and I could not be prouder to be a small part of the organization,” Shore wrote.

Members of the Rockford-based Hope for Haitians Committee have traveled to Haiti multiple times. They have met children and their families who live in thatched homes built on rotting trash in low-lying coastal areas. Illnesses spread quickly in these garbage-ridden areas. In these unimaginable living conditions, people suffer from malnutrition and lack adequate homes and access to safe, clean drinking water.

“The dramatic transformation the annual galas have made in the lives of so many Haitians is night and day,” said Bachrodt. “Together we are bringing hope, and making a difference in the lives of so many.”

Progress and growth, in Haiti:

2009 -2011: Fundraised for the “Hope Friendship Village” in Chastenoye, to house those displaced by the earthquake, as well as those who are living in the Prolongé swamp. Proceeds will complete the three-year project that includes the construction of 100 housing units, 50 sanitation units, an artesian well, a community center, animal-rearing and agricultural projects, and two solar panel lights.

2007 – 2008: Established the “Rockford Friendship Village” in Prolongé, which includes 100 housing units, 50 sanitation units, three artesian wells, a community center, three tilapia ponds, start in life projects, a solar panel light, and the implementation of a feeding program.

2006: Installed 30 water wells in Cap-Haitien, providing more than 50,000 people the gift of lifesaving water.

2005: Provided 18 water wells and 125 hand pumps, enabled 70,000 people in Gonaives to access clean, safe drinking water.

2004: Completed 17 wells, providing clean water for 120,000 people in Cap-Haitien, Limonade and Plaine du Nord.

2003: Drilled water wells in Duval, Petionville, and Barbancourt to provide approximately 27,000 people access to clean, safe drinking water.

2002: Completed the Dubois Water Project in Port-de-Paix, which directly affected 3,000 people.

2001: Built 50 Food For The Poor housing units, in Cotes-de-Fer.

To make a donation to fund Phase III of the “Hope Friendship Village,” in Chastenoye, please call, 1-888-404-4248 or visit the Food For The Poor's Web site.

Committee members included: Pat Bachrodt, Rev. David Beauvais, William Clancy, Mike Delany, Brian and Missy Hand, Frank Haney, Msgr. Robert Hoffman, Danny Lorden, Tom and Nancy Lorden, Bob McLaughlin, Philip Nicolosi, Al and Terry Provenzano, Patti Rangel, Pete Roche, Jody Schumacher, and Jerry Weber.

An Evening in the Tropics sponsors included: AAA Quality Limousines, LTD; Lou Bachrodt Automotive Group; Lou Bachrodt Foundation; Bachrodt Motors on State; Barrick Switzer Long Balsley & Van Evera; William & Catherine Clancy; Crowe Horwath LLP; Mike & Colleen Delany; Tony & Jean Domino; Focus Financial Advisors; Giovanni’s Restaurant; Joseph Geraghty; Brian & Missy Hand; Joe Hansberry; Holy Cross Church; Holy Family Church; Kelley Williamson Company; Thomas & Leslie Killoren; Jeff & Sally Krogh; Lindgren, Callihan, Van Osdol & Co., Ltd; Lorden Charitable Foundation; Robert & Mary Lou McLaughlin; Rebecca Newton; Nicolosi & Associates, Inc.; Our Lady of Good Counsel; Papa John's Pizza; R.C. & Rhonda Pottinger; Resource Dealer Group, Inc.; Risch Family Foundation; Riverside Community Bank; Peter & Sandy Roche Family; Savant Capital Management, Inc.; SMITH-GRAMLEY Ltd.; St. Edward Church; St. James Church; St. Katherine Drexel; St. Thomas the Apostle Church; SupplyCore Inc.; Warner Specialized Petroleum Services; Gerald & Patti Weber, Jr.; Williams-Manny Insurance.

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.

Walkers Nationwide Encouraged to Stomp Out Hunger

Food For The Poor’s fifth annual "Walk For Hunger," a three-mile walk/run on Lynn University’s campus in Boca Raton is quickly approaching. Do your part on Oct. 2 to feed starving children and their families in Haiti, while raising awareness about the plight of the poor in that country through Food For The Poor, one of the most efficient charities in the United States.

Humanitarians nationwide are invited to register online to walk with us in person or participate from afar in your own community, as we lace up our sneakers to feed those who are unable to feed themselves in Haiti. With your support, we can focus attention on Haiti’s deadly malnutrition problem that has been magnified by the devastating Jan. 12 earthquake.

This year’s top fundraiser will receive an Apple iPad – second through fifth place winners will receive free Apple iPod nanos. If you do not live in Florida, you can still participate and spread the word through Food For The Poor’s Facebook event page.

Visit the Walk For Hunger web page to register, start a team, encourage your friends, or make a donation. Utilize the “Participant Center” online to create a fundraising page, share your goal with friends, family coworkers and all contacts, while you monitor your progress. Corporate teams to participate in Food For The Poor’s walk/run range from major league baseball team, the Florida Marlins, to environmentally minded organizations, such as South Florida Waste Management District.

Cost of pre-registration is $20 for adults and teens, $15 for children ages 6-10, and no fee for children 5 years old and under. The registration cost for South Florida walkers includes a T-Shirt and lunch. Special awards will be given to the teams and individuals who raise the largest amount of pledges. For more information, please call 1-888-404-4248 or visit the Walk For Hunger online.

Food For The Poor can feed 10 families for $120 a month. The goal this year is to raise enough to feed 4,000 destitute families for a month in Haiti. Students countrywide in need of community service hours are encouraged to participate.

For the event, Lynn University students will help build a pre-fabricated 12-by-12 foot yellow house on the university’s lawn near the student center. The house is a smaller model of the 61,200 homes Food For The Poor has built and given to destitute families since 1982.

Sponsors this year include Lynn University, Wells Fargo, Whole Foods Market, Melting Pot, 620 Subs, and Winners Award Group.

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.

Atlanta Residents to Blog about Water-Life-Hope in Haiti

Atlanta residents, Edward Buckley and John Beasley will travel to Haiti, Sept. 13-15, with the nonprofit Food For The Poor to visit remote communities in desperate need of clean, safe drinking water. During the trip, daily blog entries and photos will be posted online.

While in Haiti, the group will visit some of the water projects they have funded, tent cities that house those displaced by the earthquake, and fishing villages that have helped revitalize poor coastal communities. During Buckley’s five previous trips to Haiti with Food For The Poor, he witnessed how access to clean water is an unattainable luxury for many destitute families. Drinking contaminated water can cause disease, and in some cases, eventually lead to death.

"In our view, the right to clean drinking water is the most fundamental human right we have,” said Buckley. “The water wells that have already been installed in Haiti have made an extraordinary difference to the people in the communities they serve."

"Safe drinking water is one of the single most important contributions we as individuals can make to our global community," said Beasley, a partner at Buckley & Klein, LLP. "The efforts of those that have contributed to this project and the work of Food For The Poor have had tangible and immediate benefits to the people of Haiti – and we are very excited about continuing this important work."

For seven years, Buckley, Beasley and their supporters have raised money to drill and install lifesaving water wells throughout Jamaica and Haiti with the assistance of Food For The Poor, the largest international relief and development organization in the United States. Recently, the group funded the construction of more than 100 artesian wells throughout Haiti. Each well provides an average of at least 5,000 people access to potable water.

"The installation of a water project is an answered prayer for thirsty villagers, and instantly improves the living conditions of residents within a several mile radius," said Angel Aloma, Food For The Poor’s Executive Director. "Access to clean water is severely limited in developing countries. It is not uncommon for people to wash their clothes in the same water they use to bathe and cook. In Haiti, these water sources are shared with animals and are typically lined with trash that has accumulated over the years."

To provide a village in Haiti with the gift of water, please make checks payable to Food For The Poor and include the special source code “SC# 70245” so the money can be tracked to the Water-Life-Hope initiative. Donations can be mailed to Food For The Poor, 6401 Lyons Road, Coconut Creek, FL 33073. All gifts are tax-deductible. Online donations can also be made through the charity’s secure Web site.

If you live near the Atlanta area, please plan to attend Food For The Poor’s third annual Atlanta fundraising event on Sept. 10 at The W Atlanta Buckhead. Guests will enjoy an elegant dining experience prepared by the Spice Market’s Executive Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. For additional event and ticket information, go online or call 888-404-4248.

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.

All-Nighter to “Teach A Man to Fish,” Not Cram For Exams

Are you ready to change the world?

Help break the generational chains of poverty in developing countries by offering the destitute self-sustainable solutions and skills training opportunities. Students on your campus can unite with others nationwide to commemorate World Food Day in partnership with the international relief and development organization Food For The Poor.

During the months of October and November students are encouraged to come together for one night to participate in Food For The Poor’s “All-Nighter for the Poor” on their campuses. The goal is to increase awareness about malnutrition and to fund self-sustainable solutions – such as tilapia ponds and animal husbandry projects – to alleviate hunger in developing countries.

Students at the University of Florida (UF) are gearing up to participate in Food For The Poor’s All-Nighter For The Poor. Approximately 50,000 students are enrolled at UF for the Fall 2010 semester, and organizers for “Gators for the Poor” are working to sign up as many students and faculty as possible.

“I’m so excited to make other UF students aware of Food For The Poor, an organization with which I just had the privilege of getting involved,” said Kayla Cochran, an English major from Deerfield Beach, Fla. “I pray this event strengthens unity within the campus and extends compassion to those outside.”

Last year, more than 35 colleges and universities countrywide made a commitment to make a positive, tangible difference in our world. In one night, they raised enough money to build a self-sustaining tilapia farm in Haiti’s Artibonite region.

The farm in Delonger, consists of four 5,000-square-foot ponds that can each accommodate approximately 7,000 fish. Local community members are trained in how to cultivate and harvest the tilapia, and in distribution methods for this highly marketable product. Continuous production of one tilapia pond can generate 1,800 pounds of fish every four months. Portions of each harvest are donated to local feeding centers and orphanages. Video of the four tilapia ponds is available on YouTube.

Miami Dade College (MDC) was last year’s top fundraising team. The initiative to fight hunger and poverty spurred more than 600 MDC students to participate in Food For The Poor’s “All-Nighter for the Poor.” Stephanie Del Pino was a sophomore at MDC when she helped organize the inaugural campus event and set the ambitious goal. MDC students worked with administrators leading up to the event to coordinate on-campus speaker presentations, car washes and weekly bake sales. The pre-event fundraising was critical to the success of the MDC team. The additional exposure allowed them to tell the story of the poor in the classroom and community. The MDC All-Nighter culminated in a giant outdoor party that included various types of dance, food from around the world, song, games, performances, art, poetry and more.

“Haiti’s debilitating famine and earthquake compels us to take social responsibility to help alleviate poverty and transform lives,” said Del Pino.

To register your school or join your school’s “All-Nighter for the Poor” team visit www.allnighterforthepoor.org. This site also offers a downloadable “How To” guide, publicity materials, and directions to help you create personalized donation pages and more. For more information, please call 1-877-654-2960, ext. 6988 or e-mail info@allnighterforthepoor.org.

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.

First Lady of Taiwan and Daughter Embrace Haiti’s Needs

Taiwan’s first lady Chow Mei-ching and daughter, Lesley Ma, traveled to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Tuesday, Aug. 31, to meet with Taiwan’s in-country partner, Food For The Poor. Robin Mahfood, President/CEO of the South Florida-based nonprofit, greeted them while a children’s choir from a Food For The Poor-sponsored orphanage sang welcome songs.

The mother-daughter humanitarian team eagerly rolled up their sleeves in Food For The Poor’s feeding center as they helped serve rice donated from the people of Taiwan to Haiti’s destitute. Carrying pots, bags, and pails the people lined up anxiously at the nonprofit’s feeding center to receive meals of steaming rice and stew for their families. Approximately 15,000 hot meals are cooked and distributed from this one Food For The Poor warehouse and complex, six days a week.

Mahfood thanked Taiwan’s first lady and her daughter for visiting the poor island nation that remains covered in rubble eight months after the devastating earthquake. With more than a million people displaced, there is an ever-increasing number of Haitians who are in desperate need of assistance.

“The containers of rice donated to Food For The Poor by the people of Taiwan and Taiwan ICDF are tremendous blessings to millions who would otherwise not have anything to eat,” said Mahfood. “Your selfless gift of presence has given the resilient people of Haiti renewed hope. Mme Ma [first lady Chow Mei-ching] has provided her daughter and the rest of the world with a beautiful example of love.”

Before the end of the year, the Taiwanese have pledged to donate an additional 40 containers of rice to Food For The Poor.

After touring Food For The Poor’s warehouse and complex with Taiwan’s ambassador to Haiti, Bernard Bang-zyh LIU, and Food For The Poor-Haiti’s executive director, Kareen Dolce, the first lady of Taiwan told Mahfood she was happy to be associated with the nonprofit and was impressed with the organization. Discussions also focused on Taiwan ICDF’s recent commitment to invest in the education of Haiti’s youth in partnership with Food For The Poor.

“Through education and technology, we can help families end the generational cycle of poverty,” said Mahfood. “The joint partnership with Taiwan ICDF will outfit schools and orphanages in Haiti with 1,020 computer workstations. It is our prayer that 10,000 children in Haiti will receive instruction on these computers daily.”

Additional 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.

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.

Former Board of Director Member is named Executive Vice President

Alvaro J. Pereira, a former member of Food For The Poor’s board of directors has accepted the position of Executive Vice President of Food For The Poor, and will oversee the International Development and Foundations staffs.

“As a person, I’ve grown by being associated with Food For The Poor, spiritually and in my commitment to the people we serve,” said Pereira. “ Food For The Poor to me is like a jewel, many know it, but some may not be fully aware of the tremendous impact Food For The Poor makes in the lives of the poor. My talent is to put people together and to help those in need.”

The Nicaraguan community in Miami has honored Pereira with several awards for his work toward the suffering of the poor in Nicaragua. He also is an honored member of Lexington Who’s Who and Who’s Who among Hispanic Americans. A native Nicaraguan, Pereira received his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Texas A&M University.

“We are pleased to have Alvaro Pereira as our Executive Vice President. We are excited about his new role because his expertise will help us as we continue to serve the least of God’s children,” said Robin G. Mahfood, President/CEO of Food For The Poor.

Pereira’s position as Executive Vice President of Food For The Poor became effective on Wednesday, Sept. 1.

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.