Christmas Special

Food For The Poor Releases Nonviolent Prisoners in Jamaica, Guyana, Haiti and Honduras

	Seventeen prisoners were released from St. Catherine Adult Correctional Centre in Spanish Town, Jamaica, on Dec. 10.
Related Item: Photos from Prisoner Releases in Jamaica and Guyana

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Dec. 22, 2014) – Food For The Poor has released 68 prisoners who have committed nonviolent offenses in Jamaica, Guyana, Haiti and Honduras in time to spend Christmas with their families. The nonviolent prisoners were incarcerated due to their inability to pay required fines.

“There are large numbers of desperate people who are locked in jail that have been forgotten because they stole whatever they could to try to feed their hungry families,” said Robin Mahfood, Food For The Poor’s President/CEO. “It is a serious situation. The Gospel message strengthens and reminds us to give a hand up to others who dwell in darkness.”

Seventeen prisoners were released from St. Catherine Adult Correctional Centre in Spanish Town, Jamaica, on Dec. 10. One of the inmates was a 45-year-old barber from Kingston, Jamaica. On Dec. 9, bailiffs took him from his shop because he had breached the Debtors Act, an offense that warrants 14 days in prison. As a barber, and the father of three, he found it difficult to continue to pay the back-log in rent when his business slowed. One of his last payments was made in November.

“It happened so quickly, I was not even allowed to call or talk to anyone,” said the inmate. “When I came here, I begged an officer for a call and contacted my wife and explained the situation. I begged her not to tell my children, especially my daughter in high school, because it would devastate her.

“I prayed the whole night because I am the breadwinner for the family and I didn’t know what was going to happen to them. I said ‘God, is this a trial that You are putting me through to make me develop, or is this a way to teach me a lesson? I know You are real, and You have never failed me yet’.”

Call it a Christmas miracle, but by morning the inmate’s prayer had been answered. Food For The Poor’s Prison Ministry team had intervened and paid the nonviolent prisoners’ outstanding fines, granting them an early release. 

“People ask how I am so lucky, but I know God is powerful. I know He answered my prayer by sending angels this morning,” said the inmate. “I know that God was going to take care of me. Water came to my eyes this morning in the chapel when the gentlemen from Food For The Poor said that we must give the gift of forgiveness to our enemies and that is what I plan to do.” 

On Dec. 16, nine nonviolent prisoners were offered second chances when they were released from three prisons in Guyana. One of the prisoners celebrated his 42nd birthday the same day he was unexpectedly released from prison.

“I am very thankful and grateful to Food For The Poor,” said the inmate, who plans to return to work as a welder. “It is a blessing to me since today is my birthday. I wish you all the best. God bless you all. It was a pleasant surprise to me.”

In developing countries, the destitute sometimes have no way to feed their families other than to steal food. The consequence often is imprisonment, without first appearing before a judge, or receiving a prison sentence.

Prison conditions are drastically worse in developing countries than they are in the United States. Overcrowded prisons are common, and perpetuate the spread of disease and violence. The potential spread of cholera in Haiti’s prisons remains a concern.

Twice a year – during the Christmas and Easter seasons – it is a Food For The Poor tradition to release nonviolent inmates who have been incarcerated due to their inability to pay the required fines for committing minor offenses.

Since the inception of Food For The Poor’s Prison Ministry Program in 1998, the charity has assisted in freeing, training and reintroducing prisoners back into the community as productive citizens.

Food For The Poor’s Prison Ministry Program is based on the scripture, “…I was in prison and you visited me,” (Matthew 25: 36b).

To support Food For The Poor’s Prison Ministry Program, checks payable to Food For The Poor can be mailed to 6401 Lyons Road, Coconut Creek, Fla. 33073. Please include reference number “SC# 74122” to ensure your donation is correctly routed.

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.

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.

Grant Helps 72K Schoolchildren

Food For The Poor Helps 72,000 Nicaraguan Schoolchildren

	The McGovern-Dole Food for Education grant was used to improve the lives of 72,000 school-age children, including providing hot meals in 774 schools in some of the most rural regions of Nicaragua.
Related Items: See Photos of the Improvements Find out How Your Company Can Help

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Dec. 16, 2014) – Life for nearly 72,000 children in some of the most rural regions of Nicaragua has been greatly improved, thanks to a McGovern-Dole Food for Education grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The grant was awarded to Food For The Poor to cover a three-year span from the fall of 2011 to the fall of 2014.

During the three-year period, more than 4,500 metric tons of food have been distributed to the most impoverished communities of the Central American country. The majority of the recipients were school-age children who benefited from the feeding programs in 774 schools, located primarily in Managua, Nueva Segovia and Madriz. The students received a morning snack and a hot meal for lunch each day. Expectant and nursing mothers also benefited from the feeding programs within their communities.

“Nicaragua is one of the poorest countries in Latin America, and the second poorest in the Western Hemisphere. This grant has allowed Food For The Poor to provide additional rice, beans, oil, and cereal to thousands of schoolchildren. For many of these students, their only meal of the day is the food they receive while at school, which is why their lunches need to be substantial and nutritious,” said Robin Mahfood, President/CEO of Food For The Poor. “The grant from the USDA has been a blessing. It also has allowed Food For The Poor to provide the participating schools with much-needed upgrades, which will serve students in those communities for many years to come.”

Health and hygiene were also key components of the grant. The installation of 100 latrines and 20 hand washing stations and sinks, along with the repair of 30 school kitchens, have reduced the nutritional deficit in schoolchildren and greatly improved sanitary conditions. School gardens and multi-disciplinary training for parents and teachers were also established, and 71 classrooms received much needed repairs, which have helped to improve the academic benefits of the students.

Food For The Poor has been working in Nicaragua since 1998, partnering with the American Nicaraguan Foundation (ANF) and the Fabretto Children’s Foundation.

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.

Walkathon for Poor

Austin Attorney Walks 500 Miles for the Poor

	(L to R) Patrick Hall, Thomas Hall, Conor Hall, Maura Hall.Their final day's walk into Santiago coincided with a 6-inch downpour. They were drenched, but happy to have completed their walk along the Camino de Santiago.
Related Items: See Photos from the Trek Support his Walkathon for the Poor

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Dec. 15, 2014) – Thomas Hall, an attorney at Braun & Gresham, PLLC in Dripping Springs, Texas, walked the Camino de Santiago, an ancient Christian pilgrimage route in northern Spain, for 37 days to raise money for charity.

Hall’s goal is to raise $30,000 to be donated to Food For The Poor and two other charities. Inspired by Food For The Poor’s mission to bring clean water to those in need, Hall hopes to raise enough money to drill and install two water wells in Haiti.

“The fact that Mr. Hall has walked 500 miles to provide clean water for those who have to walk miles every day in search of water, which is often contaminated, is truly amazing,” said Angel Aloma, Executive Director of Food For The Poor. “On behalf of the people we serve, we want to sincerely thank Mr. Hall for his generosity.”

Three of Hall’s four children, twin sons Patrick and Conor, age 25, and daughter Maura, 24, joined him on his 500-mile journey. They reunited in Pamplona, Spain, in time to celebrate his 60th birthday.

“Sometimes I would walk with each of my children individually, sometimes the four of us would walk together, and sometimes I needed to walk alone instead of trying to keep up with younger legs,” wrote Hall, who said there is no substitute for that kind of one-on-one time.

“Together we crossed the Alto del Perdon Mountain Range, where a series of iconic iron monuments of medieval pilgrims stand,” wrote Hall on his website. “According to legend, pilgrims who made it this far were assured of their spiritual health in the event of death.”

Conor, a cancer survivor, commemorated the journey by taking a photo next to one of the iron figurines holding a sign that read, “Outliving it!”    

“Legend says that when the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela was being built, pilgrims were asked to contribute by bringing a stone,” wrote Hall, who carried a piece of brown sandstone with a white stripe from the southern shore of Lake Superior, where he grew up. “The tradition is to throw a stone here, brought from the pilgrim's place of origin, symbolizing what the pilgrim leaves behind to prepare for rebirth on the last stage of the Camino.

“Before I left for Spain, I sent out an email with a picture of a stone to family, friends, donors and supporters,” wrote Hall. “Many people added their prayers and intentions to this token. I carried it for all, and laid it down at Cruz de Ferro on your behalf.”

On October 15, Hall completed his 500-mile walk. His pilgrim passport was stamped each day at the hostels where he stayed, and the Pilgrim's Office in Santiago, Spain, confirmed Hall completed the route by issuing a certificate of completion.

Hall also carried a small portion of the cremated remains of his friend, Russell Schreiber, who died of cancer in May. At sunset, Hall released Schreiber's ashes into the sea at Ara Solis, the altar to the sun, to give thanks and mark the end of his pilgrimage.

To help Hall reach his fundraising goal to bring water to those in need, please visit www.FoodForThePoor.org/caminowalkathon to make a secure donation.

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.

Man to Walk 500 Miles

New Mexico Man Steps Up His Goal in 500-Mile Walk

	Daniel Valdez (far right) has spent recent months preparing for his third 500-mile walk from Lovington, N.M., to Chihuahua, Mexico, starting on Friday, Dec. 19, 2014. Walking approximately 33 miles a day, sometimes picking up supporters along the way, as seen here.
Related Items: See Photos from Daniel's Walk Follow Daniel's Route

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Dec. 8, 2014) – When it comes to the hurting, homeless and the hungry in the world, New Mexico resident Daniel Valdez has decided to make their plight his motivation for change. This year, Valdez will walk to provide a very special gift that’s called “Everything for a Family with Nothing” through Food For The Poor.

“I’ve seen homeless people who live on the street and it’s very hard to watch,” Valdez said. “I don’t wish that on anyone, and when I see a homeless family with children, it really breaks my heart.”          

For the third year, Valdez is preparing to embark on an arduous journey that’s becoming an annual event for him, walking 500 miles through more than a dozen U.S. cities, and across the border and into Mexico. The 52-year-old Valdez has spent months preparing for his third 500-mile walk, which will begin on Friday, Dec. 19, 2014, in his hometown of Lovington, New Mexico, and end in Delicias, Chihuahua, Mexico. 

Valdez’s gift this year will allow Food For The Poor to provide a poor family with a new house with sanitation and water component, rice and beans for a full year, a small business project to help provide a source of income, school supplies for two children (including books and uniforms), clothing and shoes.

“What Mr. Valdez is planning is no easy task, we are sincerely touched by his desire to not only call attention to the needs of the poor, but to help a family who has absolutely nothing,” said Angel Aloma, Executive Director of Food For The Poor. “One of Food For The Poor’s key projects has been building homes in the countries we serve, and Mr. Valdez’s generosity will allow us to make a world of difference in the lives of a family that is in dire need.”

Following 6 a.m. Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Lovington, Valdez will start walking at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 19, 2014, in front of the Lea County Courthouse, which is located at 100 North Main Ave., Lovington, NM.

His route covers points in New Mexico and passes through the communities of 1. Lovington, N.M. 2. Hobbs, N.M. 3. Eunice, N.M. 4. Jal, N.M. 5. Kermit, Texas  6.Wink, Texas 7. Pyote, Texas 8. Coyanosa, Texas 9. Alpine, Texas 10. Marfa, Texas 11. Shafter, Texas 12. Presidio, Texas 13. Ojinaga, CH, Mexico 14. Aldama, CH, Mexico 15. Chihuahua, CH, Mexico 16. Delicias, CH, Mexico. To see a video animation of Valdez’s 500-mile journey please click www.FoodForThePoor.org/mapofroute.

This year, Valdez will push the limits of his mission by visiting two additional cities in Mexico, where he will hold two different events. He will travel to Satevo, Chihuahua, where he will do a 10 to15-mile walk, followed by a visit to Cuauhtemoc, Chihuahua, where he will wrap up his mission with a 5K Run on Jan. 6, 2015, on the festive day of Dia de Reyes (Kings’ Day).

The idea of helping the poor was a decade in the making for Valdez, who has been running in regional races for 10 years. It was during one of these runs from Hobbs, New Mexico, to his hometown of Lovington, with longtime friend and priest, the Rev. Manuel Ibarra, that he felt the call to action. After some encouraging words from his friend and with the support of his wife, four children and his congregation, his first 500-mile walk took place in 2012.

Last year, a portion of the proceeds from Valdez’s second 500-mile walk went toward Food For The Poor’s general feeding program, which provides hundreds of thousands of meals each day to the hungry in the 17 countries the international relief and development organization serves.

“It makes me happy to know there’s hope for people. It is God who made this possible and this is what keeps me going. I never want to quit, because when I think about the needs of the people, I want to help and it drives me to keep going,” said Valdez. “I like helping people, especially the poor. Doing so makes me feel close to God.”

Valdez’s parents will trail him on his journey, driving in the family’s RV, which is where Valdez will sleep at night.

To help Valdez reach his goal, visit www.FoodForThePoor.org/danielvaldez and make a secure online donation.

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.

Mary Wong to be Named Ambassador of the Poor

Food For The Poor to Honor Mary Wong of Office Depot Foundation

	Mary Wong's philanthropic endeavors are recognized throughout the community. She is president of the Office Depot Foundation.
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COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Nov. 26, 2014) – Food For The Poor will recognize Mary Wong, President of the Office Depot Foundation, as the charity’s Ambassador For The Poor at the 20th annual Building Hope Gala on Friday, Feb. 6, 2015, at Boca West Country Club in Boca Raton. Attendees will be invited to create a legacy of compassion and generosity by pledging to build critically needed houses for destitute families.

"I am deeply grateful to Food For The Poor for selecting me as the honoree of its 20th annual Building Hope Gala and applaud this outstanding organization's dedication to providing homes and hope for the residents of Pon Batay in Haiti,” said Wong.

“Mary Wong’s charitable giving, and her compassion have inspired many nonprofits and individuals to give generously,” said Food For The Poor Executive Director Angel Aloma. “Above all, it is the tears of compassion that I have seen Mary shed each time she watches a Food For The Poor video or looks at our photos, or even when she listens to a story from the field about our children that makes recognizing her a sincere privilege.”

During the past three years, the Office Depot Foundation has donated 14,000 sackpacks filled with essential school supplies to Food For The Poor’s Angels Of Hope child sponsorship program.

“The Office Depot Foundation has partnered with Food For The Poor in our National Backpack Program for several years and is proud to know that, together, we have given thousands of children essential tools to succeed in school,” said Wong.

Wong, whose philanthropic endeavors are recognized throughout the community, was named President of the Office Depot Foundation in 2006, after serving as Director of Community Relations for Office Depot since 2000. She serves on the boards of several organizations and on an advisory board for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Wong also was included in the 2013 list of “America's Top 20 Women in Philanthropy, Social Innovation & Civic Engagement” by Michael Chatman, host of #whyigive on Twitter.

Shaggy and The Hot Shot Band will perform at the gala. Shaggy, a longtime supporter of the South Florida based-nonprofit Food For The Poor, believes that “to whom much is given, much is required.”
Another bona fide champion of Food For The Poor’s mission, chef Ron Duprat – who appeared on the reality TV show “Top Chef” – has offered to share his passion for cooking with attendees to help build homes in his native homeland of Haiti. At the event, attendees can bid on a 12-course dinner prepared by the French-trained executive chef for 25 guests at the home of the winning bidder. Additional silent auction prizes will include electronics, jewelry, vacations, golf and dining packages. This year’s theme is old Hollywood glamor.

Since inception, Food For The Poor has built more than 91,000 housing units for people desperately in need of adequate shelter. A gift of $3,200 will move a destitute family from their dirt-floor makeshift shack in Pon Batay, Haiti, into a permanent home. The community’s dire living conditions are compounded by the lack of clean drinking water in the area. Pon Batay residents must walk miles to the nearest community to fetch water from a well.

For additional information regarding the Building Hope Gala, sponsorship opportunities and tickets, available at $250 per person, please call 888-404-4248 or visit www.FoodForThePoor.org/boca.

The Building Hope Gala Chairwoman is Rene Turner-Mahfood, and additional committee members include Wedler Alexandre, Carlos Bodden, Linda Brendli, Matthew Bryant, Becky Carlsson, Ronda Ellis Ged, Erin Heit, Susan Krassen, Julie Mahfood, Tashia Rahl, Kara Seelye, Dr. Deborah Shapiro and Renee Stetler.

Gala sponsors to date include Aviv Vodka, Club Managers Association of America, Dennis Charley & Associates, Leslie L. Alexander Foundation, McFFe Group, Oceans 234, Seaboard Marine, TD Bank, Trinity Direct, and The Boca Raton Observer.

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.

What Does Giving Mean to You?

Spending with a Purpose: What Does Giving Mean to You?

	Food For The Poor can help you start a #GivingTuesday tradition this holiday season by giving a gift that will change lives. Your gift of bees for honey production will provide a reliable, lasting source of honey and income for bee farmers like Stephen Williams. The 54-year-old owner of Queen Bee Honey Production says support from Food For The Poor helped to build his business, which is based in Irish Pen, St. Catherine, Jamaica.
Related Items: Our Executive Director Talks about What Giving Means to Him View Lifesaving Gifts Watch: Our Donors Share What Giving Means to Them

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Nov. 25, 2014) – There are days for buying gifts, a day for giving thanks, and now there’s a day for giving back. For the third consecutive year, Food For The Poor will participate in #GivingTuesday, which blends charities, businesses and individuals to provide a fresh outlook to the giving season.

On Dec. 2, 2014, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, #GivingTuesday will tap into the power of social media to inspire as many as possible to do good and give back. More than 10,000 organizations, including Food For The Poor, will be promoting charitable activities that support nonprofits.

“For more than three decades the philanthropic spirit has motivated generous donors to support Food For The Poor, which has allowed the organization to help others. Having a day that’s dedicated to giving back is an opportunity for nonprofits to shine the light on creative ways donors can make a difference throughout the year,” said Angel Aloma, Executive Director of Food For The Poor. “A day that’s dedicated to charitable deeds is a blessing for all involved, whether it’s of your time or from your resources.”

Visit www.FoodForThePoor.org/givingtuesday to read Executive Director, Angel Aloma’s blog and support Food For The Poor’s #GivingTuesday initiative What Does Giving Mean to You? See the responses from some of the charity’s donors in a short video at www.foodforthepoor.org/whygive, which will inspire you to look at gift-giving in whole new way.  

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.

5K Participants Feed Thousands

Food For The Poor’s 5K to Feed Thousands of Children

	More than 600 walkers and runners participated in Food For The Poor's 5K Walk/Run For Hunger at T.Y. (Topeekeegee Yugnee) Park in Hollywood, Fla. on Nov.8. Participants raised funds to feed more than 1,600 children for an entire year in the Caribbean and Latin America, thanks to a generous donor who matched every dollar raised with and additional dollar worth of food.
Related Item: See Photos from the Race

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (November  17, 2014) – More than 600 walkers and runners participated in Food For The Poor’s 5K Walk/Run For Hunger at T.Y. (Topeekeegee Yugnee) Park in Hollywood, Fla., on Saturday, Nov. 8. The Honorable Franz Hall, Jamaica’s Consul General to Miami; Eric Yutzy, co-anchor for WPLG-TV Local 10 Morning News; and Natacha Sarthou Kalicharan, Mrs. West Indies International 2014, joined walkers and runners at the 5K Walk/Run.

“On behalf of the children in the Caribbean and Latin America who will be nourished because of the generosity of strangers, please accept my heartfelt thanks,” said Food For The Poor Executive Director Angel Aloma.

Participants raised funds to feed more than 1,600 children for an entire year in the Caribbean and Latin America, thanks to a generous donor who matched every dollar raised with an additional dollar’s worth of food.

Aloma and Yutzy stood shoulder-to-shoulder at the finish line to encourage runners to finish strong.

Luis Angel Arroyo stood out from the crowd when he raised his eyes to heaven to praise God, after he crossed the finish line of his first 5K race.

“I myself used to be homeless, hungry, and addicted to drugs,” said Arroyo, who was not discouraged that he needed to catch a bus at 5 a.m. and walk 1.5 miles to be on time for the event. “I thank the Lord who saved me and used Broward Outreach Center in Pompano Beach, Fla., and all of the churches that come there to help.

“I wanted to do this for everyone who is hungry and stuck out there, to bring awareness that there is help,” said Arroyo. “I want to do this for the rest of my life.”

The fastest male was Moses Washington, with a time of 16:39. The fastest female was Alejandra Simon, with a time of 22:40. Additional race results by AccuChip are available online at www.foodforthepoor.org/accuchip.

Handcrafted tin-art medallions from Haiti were awarded to first-, second- and third-place finishers in each age bracket for runners. The striking sun-shaped medallions were created by Louisdjy St-Jour, a Haitian metal artist who lives in a Food For The Poor-built home in Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti.

For just $14.60, Food For The Poor can feed a hungry family of four for a month. To make a donation, please visit the charity’s website at www.FoodForThePoor.org/walk.

The event’s presenting sponsor was Toshiba. Additional event sponsors included Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, Cruise Planners, Dataline, Dennis Charley & Associates, Iberia Bank, Jamaica Tourist Board, Kind Snacks, Miami Marlins, Orange Theory Fitness, Publix, Rockers Movement, Seaboard Marine, Sun-Sentinel, TD Bank, The Food Truck Collective, Tri-Rail, Unum, Vitas Innovative Hospice Care, Waste Management and Wells Fargo.

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.

Atlanta residents get honor

Food For The Poor Honors Atlanta Residents

	(L to R) Patricia and Edward Buckley at the Dreams Across the Sea gala. Mr. Buckley is a recipient of the Ambassador For The Poor award.
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COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Nov. 11, 2014) – Food For The Poor’s Executive Director Angel Aloma named three Atlanta-area residents Ambassadors For The Poor at the charity’s 7th annual Dreams Across The Sea event on Oct. 24, at The InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Ambassador For The Poor honorees are Edward Buckley, managing partner at The Buckley Law Firm LLC (Decatur); the Rev. William Thomas Deneke, an Episcopal priest (Decatur); and Amanda Farahany, a partner at Barrett & Farahany, LLP (Atlanta).

Event proceeds will be used to bring clean, safe drinking water to Dalon, Haiti, through the installation of a 10,000-gallon concrete cistern, and water kiosks. Currently, residents walk more than a mile to reach the local spring, and because of the heavy reliance on this resource, residents usually have to wait 45 minutes to collect water.

Proceeds also will partially fund necessary components for a water project at the Baptist Hospital in Quartier Morin, Haiti. There is no piped water in Quartier Morin. The several shallow, hand-dug wells at the Baptist Hospital are inefficient because they are susceptible to the region’s dry spells, as they are replenished by rainfall. When necessary, water is pumped by hand and delivered in wheelbarrows to the hospital from the nearby children’s home. That well was generously installed in 2012 by Ed Buckley and members of Leadership Atlanta.

“It is our belief that the right to clean drinking water is the most fundamental of human rights, for without clean drinking water we cannot fully exercise our other God-given rights,” said Buckley. “For example, a child can’t enjoy her right to education with parasites roiling in her belly because she does not have clean drinking water. A woman can’t engage in commerce if she has to spend five hours a day hunting for clean water and bringing a five-gallon bucket back to her home, only to repeat the same thing the next day.”

In May, Buckley, Farahany and Rev. Deneke traveled to Haiti with Food For The Poor to visit several potential water project sites to benefit from Food For The Poor’s 2014 Dreams Across The Sea event.  While in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, the group also celebrated the life of a Decatur, Georgia, nurse, Susan Parry, through the inauguration of a new water well and cistern at the Bernard Mevs Hospital.

“She took care of many patients during her long career,” said Buckley, who credits Parry for organizing the best nursing staff to care for him during a recent health scare. “She brought me back to the land of the living. I feel a huge debt of gratitude to her.”

To invest in a critically needed water project in Haiti, please call 1-888-404-4248, or visit www.FoodForThePoor.org/water-haiti.

Paul Goodloe, a meteorologist for The Weather Channel, served as master of ceremonies.

Dreams Across The Sea Co-Chairmen are Chris Curry and Saurel Quettan. Additional committee members include Dr. Paula Nelson Adesokan, Scott and Kari Bardowell, Verlyn Britton, Edward Bruno-Gaston, Edward Buckley, Renee Corey-Lubin, Rev. Lebon Faustin, Gina Frasier, Nekeidra Frederick, Jean Hanges, Michele Jean, Loveless Johnson III, Pascale Jones, Sylvia McClure, Nnena Nchege, Dr. Jason Regis, and Garvin Stewart.

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.

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.

Boca Grande Fundraiser

Boca Grande Committee Sets Its Sights on New Area to Help

	Hope for Haitians began working through Food For The Poor in 2009, and has built villages for families in Pierre Payen, Michaud, and Manneville, Haiti. These villages received recent upgrades, which included two dormitories for 20 boys and 20 girls who have aged out of the orphanage care programs in Boca Grande Friendship Village II, which is located in Michaud.
Related Item: View Photos of the New Construction

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Nov. 3, 2014) – The Boca Grande Hope for Haitians Committee began working through the international relief and development organization, Food For The Poor, in 2009, and has built villages for families in Pierre Payen, Michaud, and Manneville, Haiti.

Now, the Hope for Haitians Committee has turned its attention to Gressier, a coastal community located between Port-au-Prince and Leogane. The town's slowly crumbling infrastructure and overcrowding was a problem long before the Jan. 12, 2010 earthquake, but the region suffered a devastating blow when the 7.0 magnitude earthquake destroyed nearly 50 percent of the area's buildings, leaving the town in shambles.

Fear of aftershocks sent many families seeking refuge within the rural parts of Petit Boucan, Gressier, where they have set up tents and formed a community. Today, there are still 60 families living in this makeshift camp that has become a dangerous and unsanitary place, especially for children. The Hope for Haitians Committee wants to relocate families from these tents to permanent housing.

“We can't stop now. Even after five years, we still have thousands living in tents and these conditions are not good, in fact they are deplorable. That is why we must continue,” said Ben Scott, Chairman of the Boca Grande Hope for Haitians Committee.

As the five-year anniversary of the earthquake approaches, Food For The Poor's compassion for the Caribbean nation has never been stronger.

“For nearly three decades Food For The Poor has stood with Haiti through a number of natural disasters. Since the earthquake, Food For The Poor has built 4,957 homes. This organization is more determined than ever to see Haiti rise out of the ashes of despair that nearly destroyed a country, but not the faith of its people,” said Angel Aloma, Executive Director of Food For The Poor. “None of the work we do would be possible if it were not for the support of our donors. The Boca Grande Hope for Haitians Committee has not only shared their resources, but they’ve traveled to Haiti and gotten to know the people who are the recipients of their loving kindness.” 

Earlier this year, Boca Grande Hope for Haitians funded a fourth project of 32 two-room homes with water and sanitation in the poor community of Pon Batay, which included two solar-powered street lamps, 32 individual solar-powered lamps and 32 goats. The villages in Pierre Payen and Michaud also received recent upgrades. These included a wall and play area for the elementary school in Pierre Payen.

In Michaud, two dormitories for 20 boys and 20 girls who have aged out of the orphanage were built, and a much-needed medical clinic is now complete. The lives of these children and families within these villages have been greatly transformed and their communities are thriving.

“Those who helped with this project over the last five years should feel good about the difference they’ve made in the lives of 167 very poor families,” said Scott. “Most of these families came from tent cities and were forced to live there because of the 2010 earthquake.”

The Boca Grande Hope for Haitians will have a fundraiser on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015 to build 30 more homes for the families in Petit Boucan, Gressier. Scott says he's prayerfully confident they will be able to raise enough funds to build these houses.

Committee members include: Chairmen Ben and Louise Scott, the Rev. Gary Beatty, the Rev. Brian Brightly, the Rev. Jerome Carosella, the Rev. Michelle Robertshaw, George and Lois Castrucci, Patricia Chapman, Randy and Sue Eddy, Charlie and Florita Field, Evelyn Finnegan, Lou and Corie Fusz, Stephen and Susan Jansen, Mick and Susan Johnson, Tom and Nancy Lorden, Colvin and Madelaine McCrady, Peter and Elsa Soderberg.

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.

Raffle for Car

A Raffle for a Cause, Win a 2015 Honda and Help the Poor

	The winning national raffle ticket for a 2015 Honda Accord Hybrid EX-L will be pulled Monday, Nov. 3 at 5 p.m. at the Coral Springs Auto Mall in Coral Springs, Fla. (This may or may not be the actual color of the car.)
Related Item: Enter the Raffle

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Oct. 31, 2014) – Food For The Poor works with donors and volunteers to raise awareness and money to help the truly destitute through a variety of creative ways, including a national car raffle.

The winning national raffle ticket for a 2015 Honda Accord Hybrid EX-L will be pulled on Monday, Nov. 3 at 5 p.m. at the Coral Springs Auto Mall in Coral Springs, Fla.

“The money from this raffle is a great benefit to Food For The Poor. The goal of this fundraiser, like all of the organization’s fundraisers, is to generate the necessary revenue to provide clean water, food, shelter and skills training to as many people as possible,” said Robin Mahfood, President/CEO of Food For The Poor. “Monies from this one raffle will be multiplied hundreds of times and will afford us the opportunity to help the extreme poor. We appreciate the support of the Coral Springs Auto Mall and everyone who made this raffle possible.”

To enter the drawing to win the 2015 Honda Accord Hybrid EX-L, visit the charity’s secure website www.FoodForThePoor.org/raffle before 1 p.m. on Nov. 3. Those who plan to attend the live drawing at the dealership can purchase a raffle ticket any time before 4:59 p.m. President/CEO Mahfood will pull the winning ticket at 5 p.m.

Donations from the 2015 Honda raffle will be used to provide much needed aid to the poorest families in the Caribbean and Latin America. For additional information about the drawing please call 888-404-4248.  

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.

Charity Wins Awards

Charity Wins Prestigious Awards for Water, Housing Campaigns

	Food For The Poor wins the Direct Marketing Association's prestigious GOLD 2014 International ECHO™ Ultimate Team Awards. The international relief and development organization was honored for its direct mail campaigns “I Thirst” and “The Book of Maudiel” during the 2014 ECHO™ Awards Ceremony & Gala at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, Calif., Tuesday night.
Related Items: See How Maudiel's Family Lives Watch Choupette's Trek to Get Water View Before and After Photographs

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Oct. 29, 2014) –  Access to clean drinking water and secure housing are out of reach for millions of children living in developing countries. For more than three decades, Food For The Poor has helped countless families by sharing their impactful stories through creative direct marketing campaigns.

The Direct Marketing Association has awarded Food For The Poor its GOLD 2014 DMA International ECHO™ Ultimate Team Awards for two of the charity’s direct marketing campaigns:

• “I Thirst” is the story of Choupette, a little girl in Haiti who had to leave her home early each day and trek down a rocky, treacherous mountainside to fill two one-gallon containers with contaminated, dirty water. Visit www.FoodForThePoor.org/quest to view a short video of Choupette's daily quest for water.
• “The Book of Maudiel” is the story of a little boy and his family who were in desperate need of safe and secure shelter in the rural mountains of Nicaragua. Visit www.FoodForThePoor.org/maudiel to view a short video about their dire living conditions.

The international relief and development organization was honored during the DMA 2014 International ECHO™ Awards Ceremony & Gala at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, Calif., Tuesday night.

“Food For The Poor is extremely thankful for the prestigious recognition it has received from the DMA. Our talented creative team devoted many work hours into authentically capturing and sharing the daily routines of life for these children and their families in a compassionate, effective way,” said Angel Aloma, Executive Director of Food For The Poor. “More importantly, thousands of lives will be changed for the better because of generous donors’ response to these compelling stories of children in dire need.”

ECHO™ Awards honor excellence in creativity, marketing strategy and response results in data-driven marketing campaigns. More than 1,000 entries were submitted by agencies and advertisers worldwide.

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.

Shaggy to Perform at Gala

Grammy award-winning reggae star Shaggy to celebrate gala milestone

	Shaggy (left) talks with Food For The Poor President/CEO Robin Mahfood. Shaggy, a longtime supporter of the South Florida based-nonprofit, will perform at the 20th annual Building Hope Gala Feb. 6, 2015.
Related Item: Reserve Your Seat

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Oct. 29, 2014) – Come build homes and provide hope for Haiti with award-winning reggae artist, Shaggy, at Food For The Poor’s 20th annual Building Hope Gala, Friday, Feb. 6, 2015, at Boca West Country Club in Boca Raton. Attendees will be invited to create a legacy by pledging to build critically needed houses in Pon Batay, Haiti.

“Shaggy is a true friend of Food For The Poor,” said Food For The Poor President/CEO Robin Mahfood. “Thanks to Shaggy, the determination of Building Hope Gala committee members, and the South Florida community, Food For The Poor is positioned to build even more homes to commemorate the gala’s 20th anniversary.” 

Shaggy a longtime supporter of the South Florida based-nonprofit Food For The Poor, will perform at the 20th annual Building Hope Gala. Shaggy’s philanthropic giving is based on the premise that “to whom much is given, much is required.”

“The gift of a safe, secure home is a tremendous blessing for a family who lives in a crumbling one-room shack, and does not know where there next meal will come from,” said Mahfood. “A home offers more than shelter to a destitute family – it offers hope.”   

Since inception, Food For The Poor has built more than 91,000 housing units for people desperately in need of adequate shelter. A gift of $3,200 will move a destitute family from their dirt-floor makeshift shack in Pon Batay, into a permanent home. The community’s dire living conditions are compounded by the lack of clean drinking water in the area. Pon Batay residents must walk miles to the nearest community to fetch water from a well.

Supporters who donate a Food For The Poor home in advance of the Building Hope Gala will be entered into a drawing to win two tickets to New York Fashion Week in September 2015. The winner and guest will travel to New York in style, wearing custom-made dresses, selected by an A-List wardrobe stylist. Hotel and airfare accommodations are included in the package. Each home donated between Nov. 1 and midnight on February 5, 2015, will generate an entry for the drawing. The winning ticket will be pulled during the gala.

At the event, attendees will be able to bid on additional silent auction prizes, such as electronics, jewelry, vacations, golf and dining packages at Boca West Country Club, 20583 Boca West Drive, Boca Raton, Fla. 33434. This year’s theme is old Hollywood glamor.

The Building Hope Gala committee has organized a pre-event party on Nov. 13 at Shop DNA, Royal Palm Place, 1000 Plaza Real S., Suite E, Boca Raton, FL 33432. A portion of the proceeds from sales will be donated to Food For The Poor. Lea Black, from the cast of The Real Housewives of Miami Season 3, will attend the event. Please call Hillary Wallace at 888-404-4248 to request an invitation.

For additional information regarding the Building Hope Gala, sponsorship opportunities, and tickets, available at $250 per person, please call 888-404-4248 or visit www.FoodForThePoor.org/boca.

Committee members include Wedler Alexandre, Carlos Bodden, Matthew Bryant, Becky Carlsson, Gregory Fried, Ronda Ellis Ged, Erin Heit, Susan Krassen, Julie Mahfood, Rene Mahfood, Dan Overbey, Tashia Rahl, Candace Rojas, Kara Seelye, Dr. Deborah Shapiro, Renee Stetler and Max Tucci.

Gala sponsors include Leslie L. Alexander Foundation, Boca Raton Observer, Club Managers Association of America, Dennis Charley & Associates, Inc., Gregory’s Fine Jewelry, Oceans 234, Seaboard Marine, TD Bank, and Trinity Direct.

Shaggy won a Grammy for his album “Boombastic,” and was nominated for “It Wasn’t Me,” “Intoxication,” “Hotshot,” and “Summer in Kingston.” Shaggy has sold more than 20 million albums and has had seven number-one albums. Shaggy has also had eight number-one hit singles.

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.

Watchdog Rates FFP

Food For The Poor Named Largest International Charity in United States

	The charity watchdog survey also ranked Food For The Poor, which provides more than food, as the 11th largest overall charity out of 400 nonprofits surveyed nationwide.
Related Item: Meet the Children You Helped

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Oct. 20, 2014) – For the third consecutive year, The Chronicle of Philanthropy has ranked Food For The Poor the largest international relief and development organization in the United States. The annual survey lists the top charities that raise the most donations from private sources.

“The American people are extremely generous, and have saved the lives of those who have been recipients of their generosity,” said Robin Mahfood, President/CEO of Food For The Poor. “Last year, thanks to our compassionate donors and God’s guidance, we provided more than $1 billion in aid and redevelopment projects.”

Food For The Poor shipped 3,518 tractor-trailer-loads of aid in 2013, providing vital resources to poverty-stricken children and families struggling to survive. Food For The Poor also continues to provide clean water, in addition to building homes, schools, training centers, and clinics. In 2013, the charity constructed 6,808 housing units – bringing the total to more than 91,000 housing units since inception.

“Together with our donors, we cry when a malnourished child dies, and celebrate when nutritious food is delivered in time to quell the hunger pains of other starving children,” Mahfood said. “Because of our loyal donors’ tremendous love, Food For The Poor will continue to be good stewards, and implement projects to reach an ever-wider circle of need.”

The charity watchdog survey also ranked Food For The Poor as the 11th largest overall charity out of 400 nonprofits surveyed nationwide, as well as the largest charitable organization in Florida. The rankings appear in the 23rd edition of The Chronicle of Philanthropy’s annual “Philanthropy 400” report.

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.

Orlando Gala Success

Orlando Gala Raises Roofs for 28 Families in Haiti

	(L to R) Nicole Nasrallah and Dr. Lynne Nasrallah. During A Celebration of Hope gala, Food For The Poor Executive Director Angel Aloma recognized Dr. Lynne Nasrallah as an Ambassador For The Poor.
Related Items: Watch a Video of Life in Manneville Donate and Help Complete the Village

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Oct. 9, 2014) – Twenty-eight families in Haiti will receive Food For The Poor homes thanks to Orlando-area residents who attended the charity’s 15th annual A Celebration of Hope gala in Orlando on Saturday, Sept. 13. The permanent Food For The Poor homes will be constructed in Manneville, Haiti.

During A Celebration of Hope gala, presented by Rosen Shingle Creek and Rosen Hotels & Resorts, Food For The Poor Executive Director Angel Aloma recognized Dr. Lynne Nasrallah as an Ambassador For The Poor and presented her with a statue of Christ as a beggar. 

“It’s amazing to think that for 15 years, we have been changing the lives of the poor, lifting them out of poverty and giving them hope for the future,” said Dr. Nasrallah, the gala Chairwoman and member of Food For The Poor's Board of Directors. “Working with Food For The Poor, Orlando donors have built eight villages, and more than 864 homes. With your compassionate hearts, you have rescued the lives of thousands of vulnerable people; they were living in shacks, exposed to the elements, starving, desperate for a better life. Thank you for your generosity.”

Dr. Nasrallah closed her acceptance speech by introducing a video of her last trip to Haiti.

“I want all of you to join me on my pilgrimage back to Haiti, through a video,” said Dr. Nasrallah. “You are going to see what I saw when I was there last year; the needs of the poorest people in the poorest country, and what you have done to impact their lives.”

Master of ceremonies for this year’s A Celebration of Hope gala was Tom Sorrells, an Emmy award-winning meteorologist for WKMG Channel 6.

“I'm honored to participate in so many wonderful community events, but the Food For The Poor gala stands out in my mind as an evening that touched my heart and opened my mind,” said Sorrells. “I think the organization did a wonderful job of making sure that its meaningful work was the focal point of the night. The fact that I met so many wonderful people, and that the food and entertainment were both top-notch was just a bonus. I'm grateful I had the opportunity to host this worthwhile event, and look forward to watching it grow into the future.”

In addition to bidding on silent auction items, the attendees learned about Food For The Poor’s ongoing projects in Haiti from Food For The Poor’s Haiti Project Manager Delane Bailey-Herd.

In Haiti, Food For The Poor builds two-room, concrete block homes with zinc roofs, locking doors, and a front porch. The homes also include access to clean water, solar-power technology, and a bathroom with a flush toilet and shower stall.

To invest in the house-building initiative, please call 888-404-4248 or visit www.FoodForThePoor.org/orlando.

The gala’s presenting sponsor is Rosen Shingle Creek and Rosen Hotels & Resorts. Gala sponsors include Central Florida Marriott Business Council, Greenberg Traurig, LLP, McCoy Federal Credit Union, Orlando City Soccer, QuestMark Flooring, and S1-Safety 1st Drug Testing.

A Celebration of Hope gala executive committee members include Anibal and Maritza Beltran, Cynthia Hawkins, Patty Holland, Rebecca James, Marie Morales Johnson, Anis Khalaf, Kathy Kinchla, Brad Levine, Bernadette McComb, Rob and Elizabeth O’Brien, and Ryan Shaughnessy. Additional committee members include Linda Bonnewitz, The del Campo Family, The Compas Family, Janice Chong, Trevor and Freda Dieffenthaller, Jason Gingras, Nicole Nasrallah, Lisa Padilla, Nancy Padilla, Patricia Perfito, Anne Pinkosh, The Santana Family, Kelly Wilkes, Holly Wilson, and Jean and Donna 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 95 percent of all donations going directly to programs that help the poor. For more information, please visit www.FoodForThePoor.org.

Haiti Clinic Revived

Rockford Residents Celebrate the Expansion of Their Biggest Village Yet in Haiti

	Andy and Florette Sokulski want to save as many lives as possible and have extended the fundraising for Food For The Poor’s Our Lady Of The Poor Medical Clinic in honor of their daughter, Julie Sokulski Hesser.
Related Item: Email Your Support of the Clinic

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Sept. 29, 2014) — Nine months of operational costs at Food For The Poor’s Our Lady Of The Poor Medical Clinic at the Bernard Mevs Hospital, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, will be covered, thanks to a Chicago couple intent on honoring the memory of their daughter. The Sept. 10 fundraiser in Streamwood, Illinois, was the ninth year the couple has gathered generous friends to help the poor.

Dedicated to saving as many lives as possible, Andy and Florette Sokulski have asked that fundraising in honor of their daughter, Julie Sokulski Hesser, be extended through the end of the year.

Food For The Poor Executive Director Angel Aloma and Food For The Poor Haiti Project Manager Delane Bailey-Herd spoke at the event and thanked attendees for their support.

“The compassion you show tonight will save lives,” said Aloma. “The majority of the clinic’s beneficiaries live in makeshift shacks, and struggle to earn a living. When the poor come to Our Lady Of The Poor Medical Clinic, they have full assurance that they will receive superior quality medical treatment.”

Thousands of patients benefit from and rely on the lifesaving medical services offered at this Food For The Poor sponsored clinic. The clinic’s AIDS Pediatric Care Center provides the poor with quality outpatient services, emergency treatment, diagnostic services through its state-of-the–art laboratory, surgical procedures, pharmaceutical products, and long-term chronic disease management.

“The lifesaving treatment patients receive at Food For The Poor’s Our Lady Of The Poor Medical Clinic is transformational,” said Bailey-Herd. “The clinic is an oasis and safe haven for babies that are born with malformations and need immediate medical attention. Here, they are loved and cared for, and given second chances.”

Since 2011, event proceeds have been used to modernize the Haiti hospital by building operating and recovery rooms, and purchasing new equipment. In 2012, Andy and Florette traveled to the Bernard Mevs Hospital to meet the hospital’s surgeons, and to see how patients benefited from their projects. Share in the Sokulski’s experience by watching their video at www.foodforthepoor.org/julie.

To make a donation to help cover the clinic’s monthly operational costs, please call 888-404-4248 or email carolc@foodforthepoor.com.

“When we face struggles, anxieties, joys and sorrows in our lives, it is good to know God has sent us help, and good people to laugh, support and have some fun as well,” said Florette Sokulski. “So much in this world is temporary, but friendships founded in Christ can be a lovely source of comfort and joy.”

When Andy and Florette lost their daughter at the age of 32, they were inspired to help others by Julie Sokulski Hesser’s strength, faith and courage during her final days. They began raising money in 2006 with Father Medard Laz and members of the Holy Family Catholic Community in Inverness, Ill., to create a living legacy in honor of their daughter through Food For The Poor projects.

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.

Movers and Shakers Honor

Food For The Poor Supporter and Charity to Receive Special Honor

	Jose Perez-Jones, Senior Vice President of Seaboard Marine, will be honored by South Florida Caribbean American Movers and Shakers.
Related Item: See What Donors Have Made Possible

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Sept. 26, 2014) – The 2014 South Florida Caribbean American Movers and Shakers will be honoring 12 civic-minded individuals, including longtime donor and supporter of Food For The Poor, Jose Perez-Jones, Senior Vice President of Seaboard Marine.  For more than three decades, Seaboard Marine has shipped thousands of containers filled with food and supplies, provided by Food For The Poor, to families in need throughout 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America.

Perez-Jones, born in Sancti Spíritus, Cuba, came to the United States when he was 11. Never forgetting the impression his Uncle Humberto Del Valle made on him 45 years ago, Perez-Jones’ dream of a shipping company became a reality in 1983. Today, Seaboard Marine serves 40 ports, including PortMiami, in 28 countries. Because of his compassion for the truly destitute, Perez-Jones formed a bond with Food For The Poor that continues to this day to benefit tens of thousands of families each year.

“For over 30 years, Seaboard Marine has nurtured and solidified a very meaningful and heartfelt friendship with Food for the Poor. We will proudly continue to support this outstanding and significant union by remaining motivated, committed, and action-driven,” said Perez-Jones. “It is in this spirit and culture that we have continued to have a lasting and caring relationship with the hopes of influencing a better life for all.”
The South Florida Caribbean American Movers and Shakers also will present this year’s Humanitarian Award to Angel Aloma, Executive Director of Food For The Poor.

“With the vast majority of our work taking place in the Caribbean it’s truly humbling to know that the South Florida community, especially those with a heritage that’s linked to the region, are responding to the wonderful work Food For The Poor is doing there,” said Aloma. “Thanks to the support of our compassionate and dedicated donors, this charity is impacting lives throughout the Caribbean in a very positive way.”
Since its inception, Food For The Poor has built more than 96,000 housing units and installed nearly 1,900 water wells or water components. The organization also builds schools and feeds thousands daily, and is committed to creating projects that ultimately place families onto the path toward self-sufficiency.

Perez-Jones’ commitment to the charity’s mission goes beyond shipping. Seaboard Marine has been a supporter of the organization’s annual Building Hope Gala in Boca Raton, Fla., since 2005. For the first time this year, Seaboard Marine will sponsor the organization’s annual 5K Walk/Run for Hunger on Saturday, Nov. 8, at T.Y. (Topeekeegee Yugnee) Park, 3300 North Park Road, Hollywood, Fla.
                                                                       
“Seaboard Marine considers all opportunities to assist those in need a social responsibility and a loving mandate. As consequence, we are always ready, engaged, and willing to contribute, specifically now with the 5K Walk/Run for Hunger,” said Perez-Jones.

Aloma and Perez-Jones are two of the 12 honorees, which include entertainers Gloria and Emilio Estefan. The event will be at the Frost Art Museum at 10975 SW 17th St., Miami, on the campus of Florida International University, Oct.10, 2014, 6 - 9 p.m.

This event is being held in conjunction with FIU’s Caribbean Student Association, one of the largest multi-cultural student associations in the nation. Click for a preview of the honorees www.foodforthepoor.org/honorees.

The 2014 Caribbean American Movers and Shakers Networking Series include award events throughout the year in Atlanta, New York City and Miami.

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.