FOOD FOR THE POOR & UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA PROVIDE LESS FORTUNATE JAMAICANS WITH FREE DENTAL SERVICES

MY DENTIST AND I: Dental students who were apart of the Dental Jamaica Mission from the College of Dentistry at the University of Florida, USA, share in a group photo with the students of Braes River Basic School in St. Elizabeth, who benefitted from free dental services they provided for a day. The team partnered with Food For The Poor for the mission.

For Immediate Release

Kingston, Jamaica – October 30, 2014: Twelve sophomore students and three professors from the College of Dentistry at the University of Florida have volunteered and travelled to Jamaica to assist Food For The Poor with providing free dental services to less fortunate individuals living in Kingston, St. Andrew and St. Elizabeth.

The volunteers from the University arrived on Saturday, October 25 and offered three days’ worth of free dental services between October 27 and 29, to over 200 children and adults in the communities of Whitfield in Kingston, Stony Hill in St. Andrew and Braes River in St. Elizabeth. These dental services included: oral hygiene education, cleaning for children and extractions for both children and adults.

Mr. David Mair, Executive Director of Food For The Poor Jamaica, stated that his organization was elated about the partnership with the students and professors, to assist Jamaicans in dire need of dental care.

“Food For The Poor is happy that members of the College of Dentistry at the University of Florida have travelled to Jamaica to help clean and extract teeth of Jamaicans, and also educate them about oral hygiene,” Mr. Mair said.

“Food For The Poor is not only about giving tangible items, but partnering with other organisations and offering quality services which many Jamaicans cannot afford, such as the services of a dentist,” Mr. Mair added.

The idea of bringing members of the College of Dentistry to Jamaica was that of Dr. Lindsey Chang, Professor in the department at the University, who is a Jamaican. She spearheaded the first trip of professors and college students in 2011.

“I was inspired to start this programme because of the need that exists here in Jamaica. Most of the persons who have benefitted have never been to the dentist because they cannot afford to see one. This is a privilege for many of them and that makes our trip very rewarding,” Dr. Chang said in an interview before stating that her students are always eager and excited about assisting Jamaicans on this annual mission trip.

Dr Abi Adewumi, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Paediatric Dentistry at University of Florida was one of the individuals who accompanied Dr Chang and the students. She said the initiative was not only beneficial to Jamaicans, but to herself and the students, because they got to assist needy individuals and experience Jamaica’s wonderful culture.

“It is always a rewarding experience for me to be here in Jamaica to encourage good oral health practices among the very poor. We have developed good relationships with the recipients over the years, and they look forward to seeing us. It is also a great experience for our students who volunteer their time and skills to improve the oral health of these persons. I am sure this is a positive experience for them and one that will always be remembered,” Dr Adewumi said.

Also benefitting from the visit were students from Braes River Basic School. Commenting on the school’s behalf, the principal, Mrs. Eddie Gayle said her institution was grateful for the free dental care services offered.

“This is a very vital programme for the community. Most parents cannot afford this kind of service for their children and themselves. Most cannot even afford to clean their teeth. I am extremely happy to know that the students have benefitted from it. I wish the team could come every year to our community, because this is very helpful, especially for the students. They are very pleasant, so you find that the children are not afraid to sit with them,” Mrs. Gayle said.

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For more information, please contact:
Ainsworth Morris, PROComm, Tel: 926-6740 or 3756136

LET ME SEE YOUR TEETH: This student from Braes River Basic School in St. Elizabeth was the center of attention during his school’s visit with student volunteers from the College of Dentistry at the University of Florida, USA. The group, which partnered with Food For The Poor for the Dental Jamaica Mission, visited the community recently and offered free dental examinations to both children and adults. Here (from second left) Dr. Abi Adewumi and Dr. Lindsey Chang shares a moment with the student while two student volunteers look on.

DENTAL MISSION TRIP COMPLETE: After three days of offering free dental service to less fortunate individuals in Kingston, St. Andrew and St. Elizabeth, students and lecturers from the College of Dentistry at the University of Florida in the United States, who volunteered for Food For The Poor’s Dental Jamaica Mission, took some down time to visited the charity organisation’s St Catherine-based head office and warehouse on Thursday, October 30, 2014. Here, the team shares a group photo outside FFP’s chapel.

SHAGGY TO HELP FOOD FOR THE POOR BUILD HOUSES IN HAITI

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 on Feb. 6, 2015.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kingston, Jamaica – October 30, 2014: Jamaica’s Grammy award-winning reggae star, Shaggy, perform at Food For The Poor’s (FFP) 20th annual Building Hope Gala, to raise funds to build critically needed houses for poverty-stricken individuals living in Pon Batay, Haiti.

FFP’s 20th annual Building Hope Gala will be held on Friday, February 6, 2015, at Boca West Country Club in Boca Raton, Florida.

According to Robin Mahfood, FFP President/CEO, the charity organisation is elated that Shaggy has chosen to assist them in raising funds to help build permanent homes for people living in dirt-floor makeshift shacks, who lack clean drinking water and must walk miles to another community to fetch water from a well.

“Shaggy is a true friend of Food For The Poor. 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,” Mr. Mahfood said.

He further stated, “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 their next meal will come from. A home offers more than shelter to a destitute family - it offers hope.”

Since its founding 32 years ago, FFP has built more than 91,000 housing units for people desperately in need of adequate shelter. At Building Hope Gala, attendees will be invited to make pledges for the construction of the houses. Attendees will also 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, Florida 33434.

Supporters can donate a Food For The Poor home in advance of the Building Hope Gala. Donors who do this, 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 clothes, selected by an A-List wardrobe stylist. Hotel accommodations and airfare are included in the package. Each home donated between November 1 and midnight on February 25, 2015, will generate an entry for the drawing. The winning ticket will be pulled during the gala.

The Building Hope Gala committee has organised a pre-party on November 13 at Shop DNA, Royal Place, 1000 Plaza Real S., Suite E, Boca Raton, Florida 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. Hillary Wallace at 888-404-4248 can be contacted for an invitation.

For additional information regarding the Building Hope Gala, sponsorship opportunities, and tickets, available at US$250 per person, please call 888-404-4248.

Created by:
Ainsworth Morris, PROComm


For more information, please contact:

Jennifer Leigh Oates
Food For The Poor Inc
Public Relations Associate
954-427-2222
jennifero@foodforthepoor.com

FOOD FOR THE POOR NAMED LARGEST INTERNATIONAL CHARITY IN US

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kingston, Jamaica – October 29, 2014: For the third consecutive year, The Chronicle of Philanthropy has ranked Food For The Poor (FFP), a charity founded 32 years ago in Jamaica, as the largest international relief and development organization in the United States.

The Chronicle of Philanthropy, based in Washington, DC, publishes an annual charity watch survey that ranks the top charities, based on most donations from private sources. FFP was ranked the largest international relief and development organization on October 19.

In responding to this recognition given to FFP, Robin Mahfood, President and CEO, stated that FFP could not have been named the largest international relief and development organization again, were it not for its donors, most of whom are US citizens.

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

“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. 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,” Mahfood further stated.

The Chronicle of Philanthropy’s survey also ranked Food For The Poor as the 11th largest overall charity out of 400 non-profits 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.

FFP does much more than feed millions of hungry people in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. The 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.

FFP shipped 3,518 tractor-trailer-loads of aid in 2013, providing vital resources to poverty-stricken children and families struggling to survive. FFP 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 its inception.

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For more information, please contact:
Ainsworth Morris, PROComm, Tel: 926-6740 or 3756136

FOOD FOR THE POOR DONATES FURNITURE TO HOMESTEAD PLACE OF SAFETY - OCTOBER 21, 2014

Thanks to the support of several local stakeholders/donors, The Rotary Club of St. Andrew today (October 21) officially handed over an Independent Living Facility to girls over eighteen years of age at the Homestead Place of Safety in Stony Hill, St. Andrew. The building was renovated to serve as a transitional Home for the girls and to foster more independence and self-confidence. Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica was able to outfit the entire facility with all the furniture and equipment needed for the comfort of the beneficiaries including a refrigerator, stove, tiles, pillows, beds, mattresses, chairs, tables and dressers. Participating in the ceremony were (from right) Dr. Paul Brown, District Governor for the Rotary District 7020; Marsha Burrell, Relief Development Manager at FFP; Robert Gibbs JP, President of the Rotary Club of St. Andrew; Mrs. Marie Powell, the Club’s Immediate Past President; Mrs. Rosalee Gage-Grey, CEO of Child Development Agency; His Excellency David Fitton, British High Commissioner and other representatives of the donors.

Photo - Petri-Ann Henry (FFP - PR)

AMPUTEE FARMER RECEIVES ENERGY-EFFICIENT HOUSE FROM FOOD FOR THE POOR - Wealth Magazine - October to November 2014 Issue

BRAND-NEW SCHOOL FOR PLANTER'S HALL INFANT - The Gleaner - October 16, 2014

FOOD FOR THE POOR DONATES TABLETS TO MINISTRY OF HEALTH TO HELP FIGHT CHIKUNGUNYA - News Release - October 14, 2014

THANK YOU, FFP: Mr. David Mair (right), Executive Director of Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica, was very happy to present the Minister of Health, The Honourable Dr. Fenton Ferguson (second right) with paracetamol tablets during a handing over ceremony on October 14 at the charity’s office in St. Catherine. Also participating in the presentation were representatives from the Ministry of Health (from left), Dr. Kevin Harvey, Acting Permanent Secretary and Dr. Lundie Richards, Director of Health Services.

NEWS RELEASE
Kingston, Jamaica - October 14, 2014: As promised last week, Food For The Poor (FFP) has officially handed over the first batch of paracetamol and acetaminophen tablets to the Ministry of Health to distribute amongst needy Jamaicans across the island infected with the chikungunya virus.

The handover, which included one thousand six hundred bottles of tablets, took place today October 14 at FFP’s Chapel located in Ellerslie Pen, Spanish Town. The tablets are valued at US$7,040. They were purchased for Jamaicans by Food For The Poor Florida.

In addition to the paracetamol and acetaminophen tablets which were handed over today, approximately 3,000 bottles of repellents and over 6,000 more bottles of paracetamol will be brought into the island in two shipments by FFP and will be handed over to the Ministry of Health for distribution amongst needy Jamaicans in three to four weeks. One of these shipments contains five thousand four hundred bottles of paracetamol and acetaminophen tablets, valued at US$27,060.

Present to collect the tablets on the nation’s behalf was The Honourable Dr. Fenton Ferguson, Minister of Health.

Before collecting the tablets, Dr. Ferguson said it came as no surprise to him when FFP offered to assist the Ministry of Health in its fight against the chikungunya virus.

“It was only two months ago that I was here receiving IV fluids from Food for the Poor after Jamaica was impacted by a worldwide shortage. Having realized that there was a need in the health sector, Food for the Poor reacted immediately and through its Florida offices provided a stock of these supplies to our public health facilities. This is one of several unrequested donations made over the years by Food for the Poor,” Dr. Ferguson said at the start of his address at the handing over of the medication.

He further stated, “In 2013, the agency donated 86 containers of medical items to the health sector with a value of close to $3.4 billion Jamaican. It came as no surprise to me, therefore, when the charity offered to assist the Ministry of Health in its efforts to manage the chikungunya virus.”

Mr. David Mair, Executive Director, FFP Jamaica, officially handed over the paracetamol and acetaminophen tablets.

According to him, with the vast number of Jamaicans complaining of being infected with the virus and the possibility of many more becoming infected, the charity organization had to purchase and donate drugs needed for treatment.

“We are delighted to partner with the Ministry of Health once more, as we continue in our effort to serve our less fortunate brothers and sisters across the island. With this donation of acetaminophen and paracetamol tablets, we hope to assist the population with the fight against the chikungunya virus. The tablets were acquired through our head office in Florida to be distributed amongst needy Jamaicans who have chikungunya,” Mr. Mair said during his address.

This donation of paracetamol and acetaminophen tablets were purchased and shipped to Jamaica within two weeks of FFP officials meeting with officials from the Ministry of Health on October 1.

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For more information, please contact:

Ainsworth Morris, PROComm, Tel: 926-6740 or 375-6136
Petri-Ann Henry, Food For The Poor Jamaica, Tel: 907-3664 or 564-2886

FOOD FOR THE POOR DONATES TABLES TO HEALTH MINISTRY IN CHIK-V FIGHT - Jamaica Observer - October 15, 2014

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Food For The Poor (FFP) will donate seven million 500mg paracetamol tablets to the Ministry of Health for island-wide distribution as the country grapples with the onslaught of the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus.

According to David Mair, executive director at FFP, with the vast amount of Jamaicans complaining to have been infected with the virus and the possibility of many more becoming infected, the charity organisation acquired the paracetamol to distribute amongst needy Jamaicans who have ChikV.

“We know these tablets will assist many who cannot even afford the medicine necessary to aid in their recovery and I give thanks to our donors for reaching out to Jamaica in our time of need,” Mair said.

FFP said in a release today that the seven million paracetamol tablets will be transported to Jamaica in two phases. The first phase of 1.6 million 500 mg paracetamol tablets will be delivered by air freight to Jamaica on October 10, while the remaining 5.4 million tablets should arrive by ocean freight within three to four weeks.

In addition to the paracetamol, FFP says approximately 3,000 units of repellent will be brought into the island in another shipment and distributed to people who cannot afford the product, to assist in preventing ChikV.

FOOD FOR THE POOR TO DONATE TABLETS TO HEALTH MINISTRY IN CHIK-V FIGHT - Jamaica Observer - October 9, 2014

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Food For The Poor (FFP) will donate seven million 500mg paracetamol tablets to the Ministry of Health for island-wide distribution as the country grapples with the onslaught of the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus.

According to David Mair, executive director at FFP, with the vast amount of Jamaicans complaining to have been infected with the virus and the possibility of many more becoming infected, the charity organisation acquired the paracetamol to distribute amongst needy Jamaicans who have ChikV.
“We know these tablets will assist many who cannot even afford the medicine necessary to aid in their recovery and I give thanks to our donors for reaching out to Jamaica in our time of need,” Mair said.

FFP said in a release today that the seven million paracetamol tablets will be transported to Jamaica in two phases. The first phase of 1.6 million 500 mg paracetamol tablets will be delivered by air freight to Jamaica on October 10, while the remaining 5.4 million tablets should arrive by ocean freight within three to four weeks.

In addition to the paracetamol, FFP says approximately 3,000 units of repellent will be brought into the island in another shipment and distributed to people who cannot afford the product, to assist in preventing ChikV.

NEW BASIC SCHOOL OPENS IN CAMBRIDGE - Jamaica Observer - October 8, 2014

Hyacinth Stern (2nd right) cuts the ribbon to officially open the St Mary’s Roman Catholic Early Childhood Institution in Cambridge. From left are: David Mair of Food For The Poor; Roman Catholic Bishop for St James, Burchell McPherson; Russian Ambassador to Jamaica, Vladimir Polenov (centre); and Principal of the school, Sister Lucyna Ptak.

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica - Senior Primary Education Officer at the Ministry of Education’s Region Four, Hyacinth Stern, has welcomed the addition of 30 new classroom spaces for early childhood education in Cambridge, St James.

Speaking recently at the official opening of the St Mary’s Roman Catholic Early Childhood Institution in the community, Stern said the school represents a timely venture and will go a far way in addressing needs in the area.

She said the Ministry of Education is committed to assisting the school in ensuring that its mandates are met.

“We pledge to walk with you and to hold your hands as we try to mould the lives of these young children. As educators we know that the first five years of a child’s life are the most important as this is where we lay the foundation,” she stated.

Stern also encouraged urged residents of Cambridge to protect the school.

“This institution is for the community. It is for the parish and for Jamaica, and what the Roman Catholic Church is doing today is holding the community’s hands and leading them into the future. We must also help the parents to know their roles and their functions in moulding the lives of the children for tomorrow," Stern said.

The school was built at a cost of over US$50,000 by the Roman Catholic Church with support from Food For The Poor.

The facility consists of two classrooms, an office for the principal, a canteen, restrooms and rest areas for 30 students and four teachers.

WISYNCO, FOOD FOR THE POOR DONATE FURNITURE TO ROUSSEAU PRIMARY - Jamaica Observer - October 5, 2014

FOOD For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica has collaborated with Wisynco Group Limited to donate 450 desks and chairs to Rousseau Primary School. The furniture was officially handed over to principal Owen Speid on October 1 on the compound of the Kingston school.

The initiative is part of FFP Jamaica's school furniture campaign which was launched last October.

"From the day I started my tenure as principal at this school, I wished for someone to help us to deal with this matter," Speid said.

"We thank Food For The Poor and Wisynco Group very much for their generous donation. Before, we had to separate the children when we were about to administer a test or a mock exam, because we did not have enough desks and chairs. During exams we had to put some of the students outside to wait until the first half of the class completed their exam. That was time-consuming for our teachers. With the new furniture, the teachers can now better plan and make better use of the time with our students."

He also said the old desks and chairs had rough and uneven surfaces.

David Mair, executive director, FFP, said Rousseau was chosen because of their great need.
"We at Food For The Poor want to help our schools in whatever way we possibly can, and they requested our assistance for desks and chairs. Now we have officially handed over 450 sets to them which has been made possible with the assistance of Wisynco Group Limited."

Meanwhile, Richard Garel, food service supervisor at Wisynco said the group was happy to be a part of the initiative.

"We have an ongoing partnership with Food For The Poor and this is just one of the success stories which have come from our partnership. We look forward to working together with Food For The Poor or the school in any other way we possibly can assist them."
The campaign was inspired by the Ministry of Education's request for at least 15,000 desks and chairs to satisfy the dire furniture needs of public educational institutions islandwide.


--Ainsworth Morris

ROUSSEAU PRIMARY SCHOOL GETS NEW FURNITURE FROM FOOD FOR THE POOR - The Gleaner - October 2, 2014