GM Cares to Make a Difference Volunteers to Build a Food For The Poor House on Local School Campus

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Sept. 26, 2012) – What do one of the world's largest car and truck manufacturers, the largest international relief and development organization in the United States, and a Palm Beach County, Fla. school have in common?  The answer – they share a desire to make a difference in the communities in which they serve, here in the United States and abroad.

On Friday, Sept. 28, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the campus of Saint Andrew’s School in Boca Raton, Fla., a dozen General Motors employees will volunteer with students from the school to build a replica of homes given to families in need in Jamaica by Food For The Poor.

“Many members of our work group participate in different types of community service, but Food For The Poor is a ministry our entire team can get behind,” said Tom Thornton, District Manager Aftersales Chevrolet Miami. “We are looking forward to this service opportunity and anticipate that we will have much future opportunity to support the ministry.” 

While GM employees may have a long history of giving back, in 2011 the teamGM Cares volunteer program was formed. All across the United States, teamGM Cares volunteers have assisted with disaster relief efforts and have lent their time to many meaningful projects.

Also in 2011, Saint Andrew’s School joined the Round Square organization as a world member and will host the 'Waves of Change' International Round Square Conference in October 2013. It is only one of 80 schools on five continents to be a part of a program that promotes student and faculty exchange, and international community service, making the Saint Andrew’s campus the ideal location for this collaborative effort.
The replica house will remain on the campus of Saint Andrew’s for seven days, and will be used as a teaching tool to bring awareness to the dire living conditions of destitute families in the Caribbean and Latin America.

“The understanding that we hope our students develop over the course of the week is a heightened sense of empathy toward the lives of those who lack what so many here often take for granted,” said Nicholas Dorn, Director of Student Leadership of Saint Andrew’s School. “Most importantly we hope that everyone who visits the replica house experiences gratitude and develops a desire to help philanthropic initiatives.”

“One of the best ways to educate students or corporations about Food For The Poor is to show them what we do. We can tell them Food For The Poor started out helping a feeding program in Jamaica 30 years (More) ago, and has since grown exponentially, but when we allow them to participate in an initiative like building a  replica of an actual house on a campus like Saint Andrew’s School, the need becomes real – but the solution becomes tangible,” said Robin Mahfood, President and CEO of Food For The Poor.

Please contact Dr. Carlos Barroso, Director of Marketing and Communications at Saint Andrew’s School, about on-campus access for the homebuilding: office (561) 210-2064 or cell (561) 756-0301. The school is located at 3900 Jog Road in Boca Raton, Fla.
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.

Orlando residents answer need for housing in Haiti

Orlando’s 13th annual A Celebration of Hope gala will raise money to build safe, permanent Food For The Poor homes for at least 50 Haitian families who remain homeless more than two years after the devastating earthquake. Committee members invite those interested in rebuilding and learning about Haiti to attend the Caribbean-themed gala at Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa on Oct. 13.

Winter Park Construction will build a prefabricated 12-by-12 foot house in the ballroom so that guests can see how a modest house makes a significant difference in the lives of the truly destitute. Food For The Poor builds safe, permanent two-room houses with sanitation and access to water for families in need of shelter.

In August, Dr. Lynne Nasrallah, who serves on the Food For The Poor Board of Directors and as the gala’s Chairwoman, traveled to Manneville, Haiti, with several committee members. There they met the families who are relying on their voice to raise the money necessary to construct 50 two-room homes in Emmanuel Village VII.

“The impact of sheltering just one poor family reverberates from the heart of that family directly to the heart of God,” said Nasrallah. “I never tire of seeing a rusty tin shack being replaced by a sturdy Food For The Poor home.”

A Celebration of Hope gala will include a cocktail reception, silent auction, house rally, and a memorable dinner with friends. Bidding on silent auction prizes, such as exclusive art and collectibles from the Caribbean and Latin America, designer jewelry, luxury vacations, and golf and dining packages, offers opportunities for guests to support and donate to the cause.

For additional information regarding A Celebration of Hope gala, sponsorship levels, and tickets, available at $150 per person, please call 1-888-404-4248 or visit www.FoodForThePoor.org/orlando.

Tropical Storm Isaac’s recent path over the Caribbean nation reminded many of Haiti’s vulnerability, and of the hazardous living conditions still being endured by the approximately 390,000 Haitians who still live in tents and makeshift shacks. Thanks to the past support of Orlando residents, gala proceeds have relocated more than 636 families from garbage-filled swamps, and moved them into secure two-room Food For The Poor homes.

“There are so many more families that urgently need our help,” said Robin Mahfood, President/CEO of Food For The Poor. “Dilapidated shacks made of scraps of wood, plastic and cardboard offer families little or no protection from natural disasters, insects and rodents.”

Since the 2010 earthquake, Food For The Poor has escalated its homebuilding initiative, and has built more than 3,523 permanent two-room homes for displaced families.

A Celebration of Hope gala committee members include Anibal and Maritza Beltran, Linda Bonnewitz, The del Campo Family, Janice Chong, Cynthia Hawkins, Jackie Heaps, Eva Pegan Hill, Marissa Iannaccone, Dr. Aida Jimenez and Isabel Jimenez, Rebecca James, Kathy Kinchla, Donna Larson, Paul Mylod, Desirae Nasrallah, Nicole Nasrallah, Nancy Padilla, Lisa Padilla, Patricia Perfito, Amira Rivera, Diane Rogers, Roseline and Pelfrine Saint-Fort, The Santana Family, Marie Schwarz, Kelly Wilkes, Jean and Donna Wilson, and Holly Wilson.

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

South Miami Hospital Delivers in Big Way to a Group of Jamaican Orphans

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Sept. 19, 2012) – The SOS Children’s Village in Montego Bay, Jamaica, is a sanctuary of sorts and is located within the pretty hills near one of the island’s most popular resort destinations. The orphaned, the abandoned and those whose families are unable to care for them have had this place of refuge to turn to for more than four decades.

Like many orphanages on the island, the kindness of strangers also helps with the support of the youth in their care, strangers that in most cases the recipients would never get to meet. However, one group of workers from South Miami Hospital made it their mission in partnership with Food For The Poor, to personally distribute clothes, shoes, hats, bags, soccer balls and a variety of toys to 81 children in the care of the SOS Children’s Village.
“It was a wonderful experience,” said Rooney Brodie, Manager of Community Affairs at South Miami Hospital. “The children were so gracious, so polite and so sweet. It was really heartwarming to provide them some assistance, and in some cases, to their extended family members who also were impacted.” 

With the help of the Rotary Club of South Miami, South Miami Hospital created Charity for Children after the back-to-back hurricanes of 2004 stormed across the Caribbean islands. Alternating between the Bahamas and Jamaica, the charity has since traveled once a year for the last eight years bearing gifts. With so many donations to give to the children in the Montego Bay orphanage, they turned to Food For The Poor for assistance.

In June, South Miami Hospital delivered dozens of packed boxes to the Food For The Poor warehouse in Coconut Creek, Fla. The international relief and development organization then shipped the items to Kingston. From there, the Food For The Poor staff in Jamaica took the donated items to their final destination to the orphanage in Montego Bay. The boxes arrived in time for the Aug. 30 distribution date planned by the five South Miami Hospital employees.

“Food For The Poor is an excellent organization with an excellent reputation for serving and caring for people in the Caribbean. We were very impressed by that and decided we wanted to reach out to your organization to help us with this project,” said Brodie.
“Some of the most basic of items can mean so much to a child living in an orphanage, but more important than these necessary tangible things is for that child to know that someone cares about their well being  and is willing to pay them a personal visit,” said Angel Aloma, Executive Director of Food For The Poor.

South Miami Hospital also held a health and wellness event for the children, which included a basic health check-up, games, fun-filled activities and a picnic.
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.

A race to the finish to benefit families in El Salvador

It’s not the win, but the finish that’s important for one runner who’s taking part in the upcoming Rochester Marathon on Sept. 23. Eric Bessette, a Deacon at the Church of the Transfiguration in Pittsford, NY, has spent months training to run 26.2 miles in a race he knows he will not win – but his purpose is much greater than the trophy.

“I’ve dedicated this run to a rural village in El Salvador afflicted with poor living conditions, malnutrition, unemployment, and lack of education,” said Deacon Bessette. “My church has partnered with the Food For The Poor organization to help provide for this community.” 

The Valle Verde community is a 45 minute drive northeast of El Salvador’s capital city of San Salvador and was established in the 1990’s as a refuge for families displaced by civil war. Last year, the Global Solidarity Ministry Committee at the Church of the Transfiguration began working with the international relief and development organization to build a village consisting of 20 two-room homes, a library and vocational center, plus animal husbandry projects for self-sustainability.

With the construction for the first 10 two-room homes set to start in the fall, the Global Solidarity Ministry Committee is backing Deacon Bessette’s idea of using his participation in the Rochester Marathon as a way
 to raise the final funds necessary for phase one of the Valle Verde village.

“The determination of those who want to make a difference in this world never ceases to amaze me. Running in a marathon is not easy, but yet Deacon Bessette is willing to do whatever it takes to help others,” said Angel Aloma, Executive Director of Food For The Poor. “We are very grateful to all those involved in the Church of the Transfiguration for helping Food For The Poor to provide a better life for the destitute families
 in El Salvador.”

Deacon Bessette will be wearing a sash that reads “Running for Valle Verde.” He’s hopeful his community will make a pledge toward his run to raise the much needed funds to meet the goal.
Here’s how you can help: go to: www.foodforthepoor.org/transfiguration to make a secure online pledge.

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:
Wanda Wright
Food For The Poor
Public Relations
954-427-2222 x 6079
wandaw@foodforthepoor.com

Food For The Poor to help restock Salvation Army’s shelves

Within days of reading about The Salvation Army’s bare cupboards in The Sun-Sentinel, the South Florida-based international relief and development organization Food For The Poor mobilized to help restock the shelter’s Fort Lauderdale pantry.

“With the continuing poor economic environment, the number of requests for support continues to grow,” said Kate Hietapelto, Assistant Director of Development at The Salvation Army in Fort Lauderdale. “We have been blessed to receive several donations from many people in the community and we are very happy to see how people come together and lift each other up in a time of need. We were in a desperate need of food to stock our shelves and the food came.”

Hietapelto was present when boxes filled with canned tuna, vienna sausage, Chef Boyardee and jars of peanut butter were delivered by representatives of the nonprofit Food For The Poor to The Salvation Army’s Fort Lauderdale office on Broward Blvd.

“When we heard about The Salvation Army’s empty pantries we knew it was important to give back to our local community,” said Robin Mahfood, President/CEO of Food For The Poor. “Thanks to the generosity of Food For The Poor’s staff we were able to step forward and offer some relief.”

Each week the Salvation Army serves approximately 100 families and individuals who are in need of assistance.

“On behalf of the friends, family, staff, clients, donors and volunteers at The Salvation Army, we would like to thank Food For The Poor for their generous donation to our food pantry, said Hietapelto.

Due to the community’s positive response to The Salvation Army’s plea for food, on Thursday families will be able to receive the usual three or four bags of groceries.

“My family and I wanted to donate food to help meet The Salvation Army’s growing needs,” said Troy Delisser, Food For The Poor’s Senior Purchasing Agent.

Delisser’s donation included frozen fish, and wild game from North Fla. that included duck, geese, quail and pheasant.

Sally Gress, Director of Development for The Salvation Army, said if the meat and fish are wrapped in meal size portions they would be able to distribute it to those in need.

In addition to Food For The Poor’s international mission, the organization also supports nonprofits that serve South Florida’s neediest. In August, Food For The Poor also donated 24 pallets of supplies such as, corn, rice, shoes, bottled water and diapers to New Hope Charities in Pahokee, Fla.

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

California woman answers call to save young girl’s vision

Tammy Hamilton knows what a blessing it is to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those in need. After praying to God for guidance, Hamilton answered a call from the nonprofit Food For The Poor to save a young girl’s eyesight and to end her suffering.

“It was all about God,” said Hamilton, who was thankful God had her path in Trabuco Canyon, California, cross with Vanessa Lewis, 16, from St. Ann, Jamaica.

In excruciating pain and at risk of losing eyesight in her right eye, Vanessa said she prayed to God before she made the heart wrenching decision to have her left eye removed. Strengthened by her faith and family in Jamaica, Vanessa and her mother traveled to the United States for a second surgery at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami on July 30.

“The doctors in Jamaica could not find a cure so I had to go overseas,” said Vanessa who has endured years of bullying and taunting as a result of her eye problems. “Sometimes I feel like to give up...”

Mother and daughter have overcome many challenges, including traveling to the United States each year since 2002, with the exception of two years when they just could not afford it. Eight years ago, Vanessa was diagnosed with tractional retinal detachment at Bascom Palmer, after her first eye surgery was not successful. As a result, she permanently lost vision in her left eye.

During the charity’s Thankful Thursday prayer service on Sept. 6, a grateful and emotional Vanessa stood in front of the crowded room to share her testimonial.

“I am finally pain free,” said Vanessa, who received a standing ovation from Food For The Poor staff members.

Robin Mahfood, Food For The Poor’s President/CEO, challenged Vanessa to pursue her dream and become a doctor.

“The hardships we face provide us with opportunities to learn how we can share our talents to benefit others,” said Mahfood, as he embraced Vanessa and congratulated her for overcoming years of adversity. 

“God has done so much for me,” said Vanessa. “God, Himself would have to explain it to you. Thank you for helping to make my tomorrow a better tomorrow and my future a pain free future.”

Thanks to the generosity of Food For The Poor’s donor Hamilton who covered the cost of Vanessa’s recent eye surgery, Vanessa will receive her custom-made, artificial eye on Sept. 25.

“I always say I am not lucky, I am blessed,” said Vanessa. “Thank you all, God bless you always.”

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. 

To learn more, please visit www.foodforthepoor.org.

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

Little Red Beans are Making a Huge Impact in Nicaragua

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Sept. 7, 2012) - The forces of nature have not been kind to the Central American country of Nicaragua in recent years. Volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and back-to-back tropical systems have taken a toll on many, but ironically, these acts of nature have also prepared the land to give back in more ways than one.

The rich and fertile soil in northwestern Nicaragua, in the mountainous region of Ocotal, is just right for producing one of the country’s most consumed crops – beans. Beans are an inexpensive source of protein and are a staple in the daily diet of many families. Last year, the Texas-based Greater Impact Foundation teamed up with Food For The Poor to educate bean famers on how to grow better crops. The farmers are also learning how to earn a living from the fruits of their labor.   

“Our board of directors had expressed a desire to begin funding projects that centered on dignified job creation and a sustainable business model,” said Erica Trani, Executive Director of Greater Impact Foundation. “Since my background is in international development, more specifically grassroots economic development, I was able to contribute my insight to create the specifications of the projects we were most interested in funding as we moved forward.”

More than 800 Nicaraguan farmers are enrolled in the red bean farming program, which is a benefit to a community of nearly 3,500 residents. Under this project, farmers are learning new agricultural techniques, as well as marketing and management strategies. Many women also have been hired to work in the Las Lomas Bean Seed Processing Plant, where the harvested red beans are polished, separated and packaged. The beans are sold in Nicaragua, and to other Central American countries.

“Food For The Poor’s goal has always been to help families with their immediate needs, but more importantly to serve as a catalyst towards self-sustainability,” said Angel Aloma, Executive Director of Food For The Poor. “Agricultural projects, such as this bean farming program in Nicaragua, are an excellent example of how providing farmers with the proper tools and knowledge are a blessing for all involved.” Trani recently traveled with Food For The Poor to see for herself the various agricultural projects in the communities of Ocotal and Somoto, which include a variety of fruits and vegetables.     

“Although this was my first time visiting Nicaragua, I was immediately impacted by the genuine will, leadership qualities, and earnest expression of the farmers,” said Trani.  “All players involved, including American Nicaraguan Foundation, Food For The Poor, and the farming communities have strongly coalesced around the central mission. Everyone is functioning as a team, ensuring that the project goes as well as it can.”

When it comes to addressing poverty, the Greater Impact Foundation realizes this is a long-term process, and has since committed to working with Food For The Poor for a second phase of agricultural projects to assist Nicaraguan farmers.

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.

First Group of “Jamaica 50” Schools to Open in September. Food For The Poor is Committed to Educating Jamaica’s Youth

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Aug. 29, 2012) - In celebration of Jamaica’s golden anniversary as an independent nation, Food For The Poor has launched the “Jamaica 50 Campaign” to build 50 basic schools in 50 months. The organization has committed to build a new school or replace an existing school that has been deemed as an unfit space for children to learn. 
Holding fast to that promise, the first three schools of this initiative will be dedicated in late September. They are:

• Greenvale Early Childhood Institution (new school) in Greenvale, Manchester.

• Longville Basic School (existing school in need of proper facilities) in Whitehouse, Westmoreland. The school will be renamed to King’s Infant School upon opening.

• St. Margaret’s Real Success Basic School (existing school in need of proper infrastructure) in Kingston.

“It is important for those who have decided to leave Jamaica to pursue their dreams in Canada or the United States to remember their homeland, the homeland of their parents, their grandparents,” said Robin Mahfood, President/CEO of Food For The Poor. “The best gift of all is the gift of knowledge, and those who are in a position to help can do so by providing the children of Jamaica with safe and inspiring places to learn.”  
Education has always been a seed deeply planted into the minds of the Jamaican people. The Caribbean nation has experienced its share of economic hardship – many parents cannot afford to pay school fees, or buy the books, school supplies or uniforms necessary to send their children to basic school.  Many of the nation’s school buildings are dilapidated or in desperate need of repair.
The basic schools or Early Childhood Institutes are the backbone of the educational system in Jamaica because it is where young children develop their character, and get the educational foundation needed to advance to primary school, which is equivalent to an elementary school in the United States.
Each basic school constructed will have an office, sick bay, kitchen, bathroom/sanitation, and one large classroom that can be subdivided into three learning spaces. There’s an average capacity of 40 students per school, but depending on the size of the structure, up to 100 students could be attending one school at a time. There’s typically one teacher and a teacher’s assistant in the smaller schools, and three or more in the larger schools.
The “Jamaica 50 Campaign” is a monumental, but exciting commitment by Food For The Poor to build these schools for children ages 3 to 6 years old. The ministry is looking forward to working with its donors on making this project between Jamaica, the United States and Canada a lasting legacy for generations to come.
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.

Providing safe and secure homes for families in Jamaica

The government of Jamaica is going to help Food For The Poor double the number of homes it builds each month for the poor. This grant will provide hundreds of destitute families the opportunity to have safe shelter for the very first time.

“I cannot put into words what this project will mean for the homeless and families who are currently living in inadequate structures with no running water and no sanitation,” said Robin Mahfood, President/CEO of Food For The Poor. “This is the harsh reality for many on the island, and I truly believe this project is a step in the right direction in providing assistance to Jamaicans in need.”

The 1,200 homes scheduled to be built by Food for the Poor over the next year will be given to poor families  island-wide. Beneficiaries will be drawn from the organization's existing list of applicants, as well as those recommended by churches and community groups. More than 2,000 applications have been submitted for homes through the Food For The Poor office 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 96 percent of all donations going directly to programs that help the poor.

Contact:
Kathy Skipper
Director of Public Relations
954-427-2222 x 6614
kathys@foodforthepoor.org