Kingston City Run hands out $2m, $500,000 for FFPJ

 

The Poor Jamaica (FFPJ) was last week one of four charities which received $500,000 from the Kingston City Run.

The event, organised by the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) last month, saw a huge turnout of both local and international participants and raked in $2 million.

Food For The Poor Executive Director Jacqueline Johnson (second left) accepts a donation of $500,000 from the members of Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) Kingston City Run Committee. Presenting the cheque are JHTA Chair Nicola Madden Greig (left), Executive Director of JHTA Camille Needham and Race Director Christopher Jarrett. Food for the Poor was one of four charities to benefit from the JHTA Kingston City Run which took place last month. The Run, which had both local and international participants, earned $2 million.

Along with Food for the Poor, the $2million was divided among the Open Arms Drop-in Centre, the Marie Atkins Night Shelter and Missionaries of the Poor.

Andrew Mahfood, Chairman of FFPJ expressed appreciation for the generous gift. Mahfood said that the much-needed funds would be immediately used to provide additional space to house the homeless.

"We plan to use these funds towards expanding existing housing facilities being operated by other entities. FFP has been supporting homeless shelters for many years and would like to further increase this assistance," he said.

Mahfood explained that the expansion plans had been under discussion for some time and would now be possible. "We look forward to having the generous, hardworking Kingston City Run Committee tour the facilities as soon as this is completed," he added.

In recognition of Jamaica's 50th year and the 140th anniversary of the City of Kingston, the JHTA focused the Kingston City Run for 2013 on providing sustainable support for the growing homeless population of Kingston and Jamaica.

The Run took place on March 10 and that weekend also included a welcome carnival party, a health fair and expo as well as a pre-race, warm-up session at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Kingston-City-Run-hands-out--2m_14054815#ixzz2QXxDr0zg