Food For The Poor & Red Stripe Bring Christmas Housing-Cheer to Victims of Hurricane Sandy in St. Mary

Ellerslie Pen, Spanish Town, St. Catherine | Tel.: (876) 984-5005 | www.foodforthepoorja.com




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FOOD FOR THE POOR & RED STRIPE BRING CHRISTMAS HOUSING-CHEER TO VICTIMS OF HURRICANE SANDY IN ST. MARY


Spanish Town, St. Catherine – December 20, 2012: The Portland / Eastern Parishes Hurricane Relief Fund, Red Stripe and Food For The Poor today brought Christmas cheer and welcome relief to families in Hamilton Mountain, St. Mary, who had been left homeless by the ravages of Hurricane Sandy. The keys to the new homes built by Food For The Poor and financed by Red Stripe were today handed over to six families in the community, during a special presentation exercise.

This event marks the first of a series of hand-overs of houses this Christmas season, which will benefit 30 families in the eastern parishes, who are victims of Hurricane Sandy. Addressing today’s presentation ceremony, Jacqueline Johnson, Executive Director, FFP, announced that the families will receive both houses and furniture, “Thirty families will be able to spend the holiday season in their sturdy new two-bedroom homes. Each home will also receive tables, chairs, stoves, beds, mattresses and solar lamps.”

The Portland/Eastern Parishes Hurricane Relief Fund, which was established on October 29, has oversight for the relief initiative. Red Stripe (through the Diageo Foundation) has been a vital partner in the rebuilding efforts, through its  $5.7 Million contribution to the construction of the houses.

Under the activities of this Fund, Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica was given the mandate to coordinate the disbursement of supplies in St. Mary, Portland and St. Thomas. FFP has matched the private sector contributions of relief to the affected families.


Shortly after the hurricane, FFP identified Hamilton Mountain as one of the areas severely devastated by the hurricane and in urgent need of the replacement of its housing stock. Mrs. Johnson explained, “When Red Stripe donated $5.7M to the Portland/Eastern Parishes Hurricane Relief Fund to assist with the construction of homes, we knew this community had to be a priority.  Today, we are here to hand over the keys to the first six, out of 10 families in this area, who will benefit from that donation.“

Affected families in Portland will be next in line to benefit. Keys will be handed over to four of five recipient families in the parish tomorrow. “This brings us to a total of 15 homes that we have constructed through the support of Corporate Jamaica.  However, it does not end there.  FFP has also matched this amount by constructing an additional 15 houses in all three parishes,” Mrs. Johnson disclosed.

The communities in St. Thomas which will benefit include Johns Town, Pamphret and Dumphries.

FFP has also commended Red Stripe for its contribution and commitment to improving the welfare of the dispossessed and less fortunate. “Special thanks to Red Stripe and the other corporate sponsors who contributed in cash or kind.  As you can see, your generosity is making a huge difference and we anticipate your continued support in 2013 and beyond,” declared Mrs. Johnson. “Thanks also to the Portland / Eastern Parishes Hurricane Relief Fund for allowing FFP to continue to carry out its mandate of serving the poorest of the poor. ”

Red Stripe has expressed satisfaction with its partnership in the recovery efforts.    Ms. Marguerite Cremin, Head of Corporate Relations at Red Stripe stated: “We are delighted to have been able to donate the money to build these homes and give these families some peace of mind and comfort in time for Christmas through the generosity of the Diageo Foundation. They have been an invaluable support in this challenging time and once again have been a great support to Red Stripe and Jamaica.”

The recipient families are overjoyed at the gifts of shelter and furniture. With tears of joy streaming down her face, 50 year old Linda Cole declared her appreciation for her new house: “Words will never be enough to give thanks to Food For The Poor and Red Stripe for making my dream of having a new home a reality.” She related that her house and furniture had been destroyed in the Hurricane and since that time, she, her daughter and grand-daughter have been “kotching” with their Pastor and his family.  Ms. Cole said her Christmas will be brighter with the new gift and added, “We wish Food For The Poor would be here everyday for us to express our thanks to them.”

Contact:

Erica James-King, PROComm

Petri-Ann Henry, Food For The Poor

Food For The Poor Continues Christmas Tradition by Freeing 18 Nonviolent Inmates; New Ritual Includes the Washing of their Feet

Ellerslie Pen, Spanish Town, St. Catherine | Tel.: (876) 984-5005 | www.foodforthepoorja.com

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Food For The Poor Continues Christmas Tradition by Freeing 18 Nonviolent Inmates; New Ritual Includes the Washing of their Feet

SPANISH TOWN, St. Catherine (Dec. 17, 2012) – Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica, continuing its tradition of helping the less fortunate, recently brought great joy to a group of 18 inmates who had been incarcerated due to an inability to pay their fines for minor offences. As part of its annual Christmas prison release initiative, the charity paid the outstanding fines to secure the release of the men, giving them the opportunity to rejoin their families and start a new life.

Fifteen inmates were released from St. Catherine Adult Correctional Centre and one from Tamarind Farm Adult Correctional Centre in Spanish Town on Dec. 5. The other two inmates were released from Central Police Station in Kingston on Dec. 11.

A major highlight of this year’s initiative was the washing of the nonviolent inmates’ feet at St. Catherine Adult Correctional Centre before they were released. Four donors from the United States and two staff members from FFP joined the local team to participate in this humbling experience. Each released inmate not only had his feet washed but was also presented with a new pair of shoes. Some even walked out of the chapel leaving their tattered sandals behind.

“We are here today because of the love of Jesus, and it’s our duty to show love to our brothers and sisters in spite of their mistakes. That’s how God treats us,” explained Scott DeNoma, one of the donors.

The inmates were behind bars for petty offenses. Without the money to pay the fines associated with these charges, the men were forced to do the ‘time’ but with FFP’s intervention, this ‘time’ was significantly reduced for several of the inmates.

Addressing the inmates at the St. Catherine Adult Correctional Centre, FFP Jamaica’s Executive Director, Jacqueline Johnson, said, “We all make mistakes and can testify that we have received many chances from persons who love and care for us. Today, FFP Jamaica is here to share the love, especially during this festive season, to show a group of inmates that they too deserve a second chance.”

She encouraged each beneficiary, “Return to society not being bitter men, but being grateful men. If ever you should return, come back not as an inmate, but rather as an inspiration and a beacon of light to the men you’ll be leaving here today.”

FFP’s prison release initiative is anticipated by all. During the ceremonies at St. Catherine Adult Correctional Centre and Tamarind Farm, inmates quietly took their place in the chapel to bid the released inmates goodbye. For those released, it is always an emotional and heart-warming experience.

This was the case for the youngest inmate released at St. Catherine Adult Correctional Centre, a 19-year-old from Montego Bay who was charged for wounding after trying to appease a confrontation between two persons. “When I came to prison, I thought my life was over and I tried to commit suicide, but a fellow inmate encouraged me not to. All along, I knew God had a purpose for my life but when I heard that FFP was going to pay my fine, I believed even more. I can never repay them for what they have done for me.”

The sole released inmate from Tamarind Farm, a 23-year-old, shared similar sentiments.  “When I heard my name, I thought there was another inmate with that name in the room. I couldn’t believe it but I thank FFP and the donors for a second chance.”

In addition to paying their fines, FFP also provided cash for transportation and lunch, as well as a gift package containing toiletries. They were also instructed to contact FFP by January, when a process will be initiated to help them start some entrepreneurial enterprise.

FFP’s prison releases are conducted at Easter and Christmas each year. In Easter of this year, 30 inmates were released, bringing the total number to 48 for the year.

Contact:

Petri-Ann Henry, Food For The Poor

Erica James-King, PROComm

Building Hope Gala Committee Members Journey to Jamaica

Building Hope Gala Committee Members Journey to Jamaica
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12/05/12               

Building Hope Gala Committee members toured the community of Canaan Heights, where they witnessed the plight of residents.                    

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Dec. 5, 2012) – Huddled inside a desperate family’s dark, dilapidated shack inJamaica, members of the Building Hope Gala committee offered the promise of new Food For The Poor homes. 

“We have poverty in our country, but the levels are just so different,” said Cathy Moabery, a gala committee chair. “I feel so much for the children. It’s not their fault. How can you not give them a bed to sleep on? How can you not give them a dry home?”

On Dec. 3, committee members from Delray Beach, Boca Raton and Lighthouse Point  and Parkland traveled to Canaan Heights in May Pen, Jamaica, with Food For The Poor to meet the residents and to see the community’s deplorable living conditions.

“Families with small children live crammed together in a space smaller than some people’s closets,” said Robin Knowles, a committee member. “They have no running water, no sanitation, no electricity, leaky roofs, holes in the walls, literally just pieces of tin patched together to make a home.”

One of the small dilapidated shacks they visited was home to a mother and her six children. She shared how rough and dangerous life is for her family. At times she has thought how much easier life would be if she was to run away and leave the children behind, but she cannot imagine leaving them. Instead, she prays and has kept a detailed diary documenting her tears, fears and frustrations.

“Overwhelmingly, the women want more for their lives but they are stuck,” said Laurie Braden, a committee member. “No help, no husbands, no income, and little to feed their children. I did see hope in all of them, but at the same time how stuck they are.”  Proceeds from the upcoming Building Hope Gala in Boca Raton will build safe and secure new homes with sanitation for 65 impoverished families in Canaan Heights.

“When you hear about the poverty in Jamaica, you can’t imagine the reality until you see it firsthand,” said Knowles. “The level of poverty is just shocking. Especially when we live in a place like Boca, and even though there are places in need locally, it just doesn’t compare.”The 2013 Building Hope Gala will be Saturday, Feb. 2, at The Polo Club of Boca Raton. Attendees will be invited to create a legacy by pledging to build critically needed houses in Jamaica during the charity’s live house rally.

“The Building Hope Gala is not just a saying – we are building hope and homes for families,” said Becky Carlsson, a gala committee chair. “I am amazed that it is 2012 and that people live in such extreme poverty.”

For additional information regarding the 2013 Building Hope Gala, sponsorship levels, and tickets, available at $250 per person, please call 1-888-404-4248 or visit www.FoodForThePoor.org/boca.

“If people can’t attend the Gala, I hope they will consider making a donation toward a house that will drastically change someone’s life. Every donation helps,” said Carlsson.The Building Hope Gala committee will host a pre-event on Dec. 6, in time for the holiday season. Join the committee for champagne and hors d’oeuvres at Gregory’s Fine Jewelry in Delray Beach’s The Addison Shops to purchase a dazzling piece of jewelry for your loved one. A portion of the proceeds from sales will be donated toward the gala’s homebuilding efforts in Jamaica.

Committee members for the 2013 Building Hope Gala include Laurie Braden, Kelly Brauner, Becky Carlsson, Melissa Davimos, Ronda Ellis Ged, Ronda Gluck, Michele Greene, LaMae Klos, Robin Ranzal Knowles, Julie Mahfood, Rene Mahfood, Pamela Matsil, Cathy Moabery, Jill Perea, Tashia Rahl, Kara Seelye, Natasha Singh, Renee Stetler, Holly Strogoff, Allison Venditti, Patricia Wallace, and Traci Wilson.Master of ceremonies, Jason Martinez, co-anchor for WPLG-TV ABC Local 10 Morning News and Local 10 News at Noon, traveled to Jamaica in August to cover the island’s golden jubilee.

Gala sponsors include AKA Printing and Mailing, Aljoma Lumber, American Nicaraguan Foundation, Bank United, Bluegreen Corporation, The Boca Raton Observer, Dennis Charley & Associates, Inc., Dusco Doors, Ellis, Ged, & Bodden,  Franklin Dodd Communications, GA Telesis, Gregory’s Fine Jewelry, Quadriga Art, LLC, Seaboard Marine, TD Bank, and VITAS Innovative Hospice Care.

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.