PRESS RELEASE
Spanish Town, Jamaica – May 3, 2013 – Food For The Poor Jamaica has
noted complaints expressed in sections of the media and by a parish councillor
in Trelawny, about the distribution of its houses in the parish.
Andrew
Mahfood, Chairman, FFPJ explained that while the charity has the final approval
for housing recipients under the Ministry of Housing (MOH) /Housing Agency of
Jamaica (HAJ) wooden housing programme according to its established guidelines,
the organization welcomes recommendations from community leaders.
He is
therefore urging persons who recommend applicants for FFP houses to be “more selective
about whom they propose, before submitting those recommendations to FFPJ and
ensure that they start with the most needy in their communities.” When
applying for a Food For The Poor house, the prospective beneficiary must
provide: a letter of recommendation briefly explaining the current situation
that he/ she is experiencing. This must be written, preferably by a religious
minister, Justice of the Peace or Notary Public.
The charity
has also committed to increasing the rigour of its verification process. The
Chairman advised that recent investigations in South Trelawny have revealed
that the majority of the homes distributed were in fact for needy families. In
a few cases identified where greater priority could have been placed, the
Chairman has asked his team to see how these can be accommodated.
Mr. Mahfood
has issued a special appeal to members of the public to contact FFPJ
immediately, and report any beneficiaries or potential beneficiaries who they
believe might not be deserving of FFPJ’s assistance. They may also report on
those that need emergency assistance.
He is
further reminding the public that no one must receive any financial
contribution for any of its wooden homes. To report queries or concerns to
FFPJ, citizens may call:
984-5005 or
email: FFPinfo@foodforthepoorja.org
-End-
Food For The Poor (FFP)-Jamaica is the largest
charity organization in the country. Food For The Poor Inc., located in
Florida, USA, was named by The Chronicle
of Philanthropy as the largest international relief and development
organization in the United States. It is an interdenominational
Christian agency that does much more than feed the millions of hungry poor in
17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America.
FFP 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% of all donations going directly to programmes that help the poor. For
more information visit our Web site at www.foodforthepoorja.com
______________________________________________________________
Contact:
Erica James-King, PROComm, T: 926-6740 or 564-5277
Petri-Ann Henry, Food For The Poor, T: 984-5005 or 564-2886
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