SUNWING FOUNDATION BEGINS CONSTRUCTION ON SPICY HILL EARLY CHILDHOOD INSTITUTION IN JAMAICA - News Release - April 29, 2015

PRESS RELEASE

TORONTO, ON – April 29, 2015

The Sunwing Foundation is delighted to announce that building work began last week on the charitable initiative’s first project – the funding and construction of a new, state of the art school in Trelawny, Jamaica in collaboration with Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation and Food For The Poor Canada.

Representatives from Sunwing Travel Group’s corporate head office in Toronto were joined on April 20th and April 21st by a team of volunteers from Royalton White Sands and NexusTours, (part of Sunwing Travel Group’s operation in Jamaica) to help with the construction of Spicy Hill Early Childhood Institution. Also present at the build this week was internationally-acclaimed Toronto-based rapper Kardinal Offishall, whose parents are both from the island. Offishall said he “didn’t think twice” about dedicating his free time to “giving back to the place that gave so much to me” adding, “I commend Sunwing for having this as the first project for their Foundation and giving back to the community in a sincere and organic way.”

Directed by a professional building contractor, the group lent a hand with painting, undertook some heavy lifting and basic carpentry.
Part of the team from Royalton White Sands showing their support, General Manager Armando Pizzuti described the location of the Spicy Hill Early Childhood Institution as being a key factor in the Foundation’s decision to make this their first project saying, “Our hotel is located in Trelawny which is where the school is also located. We wanted to ensure that the investment in Jamaica, and in particular the Parish of Trelawny, continues to grow through our support to these children some of whom have parents that work at Royalton White Sands Hotel. For us, building a school is an investment in education. Our biggest goal is that one day someone from this school will work at our hotel in the future.”

A view that was shared by Samantha Mahfood, Executive Director, Food For The Poor Canada who added, “There is so much need in Jamaica for a school like this one. Food For The Poor is delighted to partner with Sunwing Foundation to improve the quality of education in Jamaica. The Sunwing Foundation has invested US$85,000 in this project to cover the construction of the school, playground, fencing, water supply, furniture and kitchen. It was wonderful seeing how happy the children were watching the school being built and knowing that people are interested in working for them. When I walked up to the school today, they greeted me with huge hugs, it’s simply amazing.”

As well as assisting to build a brighter future for some of the island’s children, for Ms. Angela Williams, Principal of Spicy Hill Early Childhood Institution, the construction of the new school building will generate a positive impact on the children’s education environment immediately. “With this new facility, we will stand a better chance in meeting the Early Childhood requirements that we could not accomplish before because we didn’t have certain things in place such as enough space for the children in class, a sick bay, proper ventilation and an adequate sink for our kitchen.”

Construction on the school is expected to be complete in time for the beginning of the new 2015/16 academic year, when the currently enrolled 75 children and three teaching staff can look forward to starting the new school year in a modern and well-appointed building. The new school will be secure and furnished with all necessary educational modules including desks, teaching materials, books, computer and printer, toys and playground equipment. Additionally, the school will include proper water sanitation equipment and kitchen facilities where hot meals can be prepared for the students.

For more information on the Sunwing Foundation, please visit www.sunwingfoundation.com
A charitable initiative established by the Hunter family, the Sunwing Foundation reflects the Sunwing Travel Group’s enduring commitment to the support and development of youth in the communities where it operates in the form of project funding and the transport of humanitarian aid. The Sunwing Foundation passes on 100% of the charitable donations it raises to the communities that need it the most, funding educational and skills development projects to provide a direct, impactful and sustainable improvement to quality of life for years to come.

About Sunwing Travel Group
One of the largest integrated travel businesses in North America, Sunwing Travel Group is comprised of Sunwing Vacations, the leading leisure tour operator in Canada; Sunwing Airlines, Canada's premier leisure airline; Signature Vacations, one of Canada's leading tour operators for all inclusive package vacations and Vacation Express, the fastest growing tour operator in the United States together with the Group’s own travel retail businesses SellOffVacations.com and Luxe Destination Weddings. Blue Diamond Resorts is the Sunwing Travel Group’s own hotel management company, an innovative organization that operates popular resort brands like Royalton Luxury Resorts, Memories, CHIC All Exclusive, and Starfish, across the Caribbean, Cuba and Mexico; while NexusTours provides destination management services to individuals, agencies, tour groups, corporate businesses and tour operators.

About Food for the Poor Canada
Food for the Poor Canada works in development and aid in the Caribbean and Latin America with a focus on Jamaica and Haiti, FFPC is an affiliated agency to Food for the Poor Inc. (USA), the largest international relief and development agency in the United States with programs of close to $1 billion dollars yearly and a 95% efficiency ratio. FFPC works with partners in the region and through 3 affiliated charities: Food for the Poor Haiti, Food for the Poor Jamaica and Food for the Poor Guyana — these organizations are in charge of project management and distribution of goods through churches, hospitals and schools, and community leaders that work directly with the poor. Please visit www.foodforthepoorcanada.com to learn more.

For all media enquiries, please contact:

Rachel Goldrick
Corporate Communications Manager
Sunwing Vacations
1-800-387-5602
media@sunwing.ca

Samantha Mahfood
Executive Director
Food for the Poor Canada
647 350 7269
samantham@foodforthepoor.com

SUSAN MOORE: COMMITTED TO SERVICE - Jamaica Observer - April 27, 2015

SHE'S fondly called 'principal' or 'teacher', for never passing up an opportunity to share information which helps people grow holistically. In addition, she's honest, open, friendly, down-to-earth, frank, and she will tell you that what you see is what you get as she doesn't wear masks.

Born and raised on Whitehall Avenue, St Andrew, Susan Moore, 41, grew up in a humble environment where she faced great challenges. But the perseverance of her parents charted her resilience through life.

"I grew up in an environment where we were poor. We had challenges finding all the meals that were required for us to get through the day," she told All Woman.

"The struggles my parents, who were both earning menial salaries, faced to send us to school or pay the school fees pushed us as a family to strive for better. But regardless, they were big on service and helping others."

From her family's determination and perseverance to break the cycle of poverty, Moore developed an undying love for people and service, which she honed as a teen at The Queen's School.

"While in high school I was introduced to the Red Cross and we had a very wonderful patron who was also the school nurse. We learnt how to assist the less fortunate, we were taught first aid and they also wore a very smart uniform, which attracted me more to them," Moore said. "Having seen how involved they were in the life of the school I decided to see how they operated. I was very quiet and saw it as an opportunity to meet more people and learn a skill."

And so, with this opportunity Moore joined the Red Cross, began working alongside the school nurse, and found a passion for health care.

This passion grew deeper after Hurricane Gilbert devastated the island in 1988 and Moore and other youth members of the Red Cross were dispatched into communities to share messages sent to Jamaica from people overseas whose families were displaced.

"Those people thought we had done the world by sharing the messages with them. We also helped with some of the relief items and just to experience the gratitude of someone who needed support and was receiving it, it was cemented that I was never going to do anything else but help people, and even if I did do something else, it was going to be along the lines where I would have had that as a part of what I did or it was going to be," she said.

As a result, she grew with the Red Cross and although she's no longer the national youth chairman, she currently sits on the national executive.

When Moore graduated from high school she was still on a searching mission and worked as a ward clerk at the University Hospital of the West Indies where she became more exposed to health care and eventually became a dental nurse.

"While working in the field I started interacting more at the community level because you not only saw patients up to 18 years old where you were offering cleaning, filling, extraction and education, but you also needed to go in and tell the community why it was important to practise good oral hygiene. Interacting through community groups, PTA and students I wondered how I could go to the next step and started searching," she said.

This desire to further help people led Moore in 2006 to pursue a master's in public health with specialisation in health promotion from the University of the West Indies, a choice she doesn't regret as it led her to Food For the Poor (FFP) Jamaica in 2008.

"I started at FFP as director of health care, which meant I had responsibilities for the health care programme -- managing a clinic and a nursing home where people are living who have been abandoned or their families are unable to care for them. It also meant that I had to ensure the medical equipment and pharmaceutical supplies were allocated to the necessary entities such as schools, clinics and areas where they would serve people in the greatest need," she said.

Now the director of recipient services at FFP, Moore manages additional units such as social outreach and infrastructure development, among other services available to those who receive aid from the institution.

With such a desire to help people, it is no surprise that her hobbies, apart from selecting and collecting music from different cultures, are meeting, talking and working with people.

"I do it so often that I enjoy it. The fulfilment comes whenever you are able to assist someone to meet a need, be it health or a home. It is also the response of people being helped. Some are verbal, while others are silent. Finding a resource to match needs is the gratification you get from it," she said.

She added: "Seeing someone who received a benefit multiply that benefit is fulfilling. Knowing children are going to school because of support they received and that their grades have improved makes you sleep well."

Her journey of service has also taken her to many places including Sweden, Italy and Mexico, be it for Red Cross or FFP at an international level to share the work that's taking place.

For her achievements, she credits the support of her family, mentors and friends.

"If you have the interest in wanting to give support, plus a team of people willing to go the extra mile, then those are some of the things that push you, and make you want to give more than 100 per cent of what you do," Moore said.

While she's also a strong believer in being the change you want to see, she's also big on giving thanks, no matter the depth of the challenges faced.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/allwoman/Susan-Moore--Committed-to-service_18794462

'HAPPY AND THANKFUL' - Jamaica Observer - April 23, 2015

Jericho man moves out of fowl coop into own house

BY KIMMO MATTHEWS
Observer staff reporter
matthewsk@jamaicaobserver.com

In this March 18 photo, 81-year-old Rosalvo Patterson prepares to exit the fowl coop he called home for five years. (PHOTO: LIONEL ROOKWOOD)

IN less than a month, 81-year-old Rosalvo Patterson has moved from living in a dilapidated fowl coop to a home of his own.

Two Sundays ago the Jericho, St Catherine senior citizen had to fight hard to hold back his tears as he was being led from the rotting structure to his one-bedroom wooden house, complete with a bathroom.

After all, it would be the first time in five years that the ailing Patterson, who is visually impaired, would be sleeping on a "real bed" and at a place where he is not exposed to the elements.

"I'm happy and thankful for the help," an elated Patterson told the Jamaica Observer.

Patterson has several people to thank for his improved living conditions. Chief among them is producer Wayne "Lonesome" Brown who came forward to offer his assistance a day after Patterson's dire situation was highlighted by the Observer on March 19.

Brown's initial help was to pay for the cost for an overdue medical check-up for the elderly man. Days later, he bought building supplies, drafted relatives and friends with the necessary construction skills and took them to Jericho, where they camped while the house was being built for Patterson.

The house is erected on lands belonging to a woman, who has been assisting Patterson throughout his ordeal. That help from the good neighbour, who has consistently asked that her identity be withheld, is expected to continue.

Last week Brown disclosed that he spent approximately $200,000 on building materials for the house.

"My family members stayed in the community to ensure that the structure was completed," Brown told the Observer.

Meanwhile, Food for the Poor and a number of Observer readers have also said they would help the elderly man.

Patterson, meanwhile, said he is elated that his five-year nightmare is over.

"When I heard that help was coming for me I whispered a prayer thanking God for the Good Samaritans who heard my cry and my calls for help and answered," Patterson related.

His only regret, though, is that he will never be able to see the faces of those who helped him through his ordeal because of his visual problems, but has pledged to pray for the Good Samaritans.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/-Happy-and-thankful-_18752326

A thankful Patterson standing at the entrance to his new home. (PHOTO: GARFIELD ROBINSON)

A LOCAL RETIRED MAJOR GENERAL BUILDS A VILLAGE IN JAMAICA - News Release - April 17, 2015

Aretta Dennis and Maj. Gen. Bernard Loeffke stand inside her new home in the Peacemakers Community of Hope, located in the town of Spring Pass in Hamstead, St.Thomas, Jamaica. Loeffke led an effort to rebuild 27 homes with sanitation through Food For The Poor.

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (April 17, 2015) – Nearly 200 people gathered recently for the dedication of the Peacemakers Community of Hope Village in the town of Spring Pass in Hamstead, St. Thomas, Jamaica. Thanks to the sheer determination of retired Maj. Gen. Bernard “Burn“ Loeffke and Food For The Poor, 27 families now have a redeveloped community with sturdy new homes and hygienic sanitation.

“I used to be a fisherman, but during Hurricane Sandy in 2012, I lost everything and since then I have been doing odd jobs every now and then,” said Denville Clarke, a Spring Pass resident. “I couldn’t afford to repair or buy a house, so when Food For The Poor came to help me and others in the community, I was really, really happy and thankful. Words are not even enough to thank them for what they have done for this community.”

Loeffke, who now calls South Florida home, is an impressive man with a military career that spans more than three decades. Fluent in Spanish, Portuguese, Russian and French, and proficient in Mandarin Chinese, Loeffke was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds in combat, as well as Silver and Bronze Stars for Valor. He also has authored several inspirational books.

But it was the inspiring story of the teen Food For The Poor donor, Rachel Wheeler, who touched the heart of this warrior for peace. Starting at age 9, Rachel fundraised to build a village and school in Haiti.
“When I heard about the young girl who built two villages, I thought surely I can build one to honor two men who personified what it means to give their lives on behalf of their fellow man. U.S. Army Sgt. Larry Morford and China’s Cpl. Lei Feng are these men. Morford saved my life in Vietnam, now I am living his,” said Loeffke. “I was very impressed with seeing the work done by Food For The Poor in putting a roof over the heads of the needy and giving them the pride of ownership.”

Loeffke dedicated the Peacemakers Community of Hope in honor of these two soldiers. Both Morford and Lei Feng died at the age of 22 – men, he says, who lived to be agents of peace in the midst of war. Loeffke says he chose Jamaica because it is the birthplace of Food For The Poor and is the homeland of the parents of another general, his dear friend Gen. Colin L. Powell, who supported the community.

“I am glad I had the opportunity to help with the project. I offer my congratulations to Chris Wallace, my friend Burn Loeffke and all the other committed people who are bringing this project to fruition,” said Gen. Colin L. Powell.

Life for more than two dozen families living within Spring Pass has not been easy. The need for safe housing and sanitation was dire. Last summer, an outbreak of the Chikungunya virus, a mosquito-borne disease that causes fever and excruciating joint pain in its victims, ripped through Spring Pass.

“The redevelopment of the Spring Pass community is truly a blessing for the 30 or so families. These families have been living for many years in makeshift shacks, and their only water source for drinking, cooking, cleaning and washing came from a single pipe located in the middle of the town. No one should have to live like that,” said Angel Aloma, Executive Director of Food For The Poor. “Loeffke’s passion for the poor has resulted in the Peacemakers Community of Hope, a community that has restored hope to these families by providing them with safe new homes and access to running water. For that, we are truly grateful.”

Loeffke’s desire to improve the lives of the poor extends beyond the borders of Jamaica. Fundraising for Peacemakers Community of Hope villages in Central America is in the works. So far, enough funds have been raised for the construction of 10 homes in Nicaragua, and plans are under way for a village in Honduras.

“The Peacemakers Community of Hope is the first of several villages that we want to do to honor the memory of John Gardener, former Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare under President Lyndon Johnson and Founder of the White House Fellows,” said Loeffke. “He authored the statement that ‘a real leader is the one who keeps hope alive,’ and that’s what we’re doing with Food For the Poor – keeping hope alive.”

Loeffke plans to share his recent experience with Food For The Poor at the 50th Anniversary of White House Fellows 2015 Leadership Conference in the Washington, D.C., October 22-24.
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.

Wanda Wright

Food For The Poor
Public Relations
954-427-2222 x 6079
wandaw@foodforthepoor.com

FOOD FOR THE POOR DONATES BICYCLES TO A & E AMBULANCE SERVICES - April 20, 2015

BICYCLES FOR MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS: On April 14, Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica donated two bicycles to A & E Ambulance Services, one of the partners with the charity organisation for their upcoming 5K Run/Walk which will be held on May 9. The bicycles were donated to the unit, so that their practitioners will have a speedier form of transportation when making an effort to reach participants who become ill while participating on the route of the 5K Run/Walk. Accepting the bicycles was Kenroy Cole (right), Managing Director of A & E Ambulance Services from David Mair, Executive Director, FFP Jamaica at FFP’s offices in Ellerslie Pen, St. Catherine. In addition to the bicycles, 8 cooler bags were also donated.

For more information, please contact:
Ainsworth Morris, PROComm. Tel: 926-6740 or 375-6136
Petri-Ann Henry, Public Relations Officer, Food For The Poor Jamaica. Cell: 564-2886

AMERICAN COUPLE DONATES 39 HOUSES TO NEEDY FAMILIES IN McCOOK’S PEN - News Release - April 17, 2015

THE WALWORTH FAMILY VILLAGE: Marvin (third left) and Ellie Walworth (second right) are joined by residents of Walworth Family Village during the unveiling of the sign for the new community. Sharing in the moment are David Mair (right), Executive Director of Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica and Natalie Carlisle (second left) from FFP Inc in Florida.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kingston, Jamaica – April 17, 2015: Thirty-nine families of McCook’s Pen in St. Catherine have received houses from Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica in collaboration with overseas donors, Marvin and Ellie Walworth.

The Walworth couple from Grand Junction, Colorado, along with their family and friends overseas, pooled their funds for the construction of the houses for needy Jamaicans in the community of McCook’s Pen.

The 39 houses were officially handed over on April 15, after which the area was renamed ‘The Walworth Family Village’ in honour of the donors.

Marvin stated that he and his wife were proud to have been able to donate 39 houses. He said the wonderful idea of constructing the houses started 10 years ago, when a priest named Fr. Dave Delich visited the Walworth couple’s home and shared the idea of building homes for needy individuals.

“The whole idea came together after we visited Jamaica in 2013 and saw many needs that existed in this community. When we first came, all that there was here was open land with a few trees scattered on it. Today, we have a village. Today, we are driving into a community and it looks even better than we had anticipated,” Marvin said.

David Mair, Executive Director, FFP Jamaica, expressed gratitude on behalf of the housing recipients and his charity organisation, to the Walworth couple.

“Food For The Poor is extremely proud to be partnering with such a remarkable couple. I extend sincere gratitude to the Walworth’s, as well as their family and friends, for thinking of the poor in such a tangible way,” Mair said during his remarks.

He further stated that, “In 2013, the Walworths visited the community, saw the destitution and decided to do something about it. This is a testimony of God’s goodness and His ability to uplift the poor through the generosity of others. It is God’s goodness which led Ellie and Marvin Walworth, along with their friends, to donate 39 houses to the residents of McCook’s Pen.”

Patricia Stevens and Donna Thomas were two happy recipients of houses.

According to Stevens, termites infested her previous home, which resulted in it falling apart.

“I am a very proud recipient because my house tear down with me and mi children dem. Everybody know dat ‘chi chi’ and board nuh work together, and my house was made of board, so the termites dem tek it ova. Because of Food For The Poor and the Walworths, mi daughter now have a house from this project and me get one before. I am so happy. This village will be an example in St Catherine and Jamaica,” Stevens said during an interview.

While expressing her gratitude, Thomas said, “I am very overwhelmed at this moment. I am bursting with joy knowing that my husband and I are now proud home owners. We have been struggling for years, and God has rewarded us with a house. I want to say thanks to the Walworths and to Food For The Poor. It is wonderful to know that there are still good people in the world.”

The Walworth couple also funded the construction of a community center where residents can learn entrepreneurial and technical skills. Land for the construction of the houses was donated by The Sugar Company of Jamaica.

In 2014, FFP Jamaica built 1,601 houses across the island. Since the charity organisation’s inception, over 38,000 Jamaicans have received a secure and comfortable place to call home.

-end-

For more information, please contact:
Ainsworth Morris, PROComm. Tel: 926-6740 or 375-6136
Petri-Ann Henry, Public Relations Officer, Food For The Poor Jamaica. Cell: 564-2886

THIRTY-NINE HOUSES FOR NEEDY FAMILIES IN McCOOK’S PEN: Donors Marvin and Ellie Walworth (right), along with members of Food For The Poor (FFP), touring Walworth Family Village in McCook’s Pen, St. Catherine. The couple, through Food For The Poor, funded the construction of the 39 houses for needy families.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: Marvin (second left) and Ellie Walworth (right) hug David Mair (left), Executive Director of Food For The Poor Jamaica and Markland Gordon from General Paving Company Limited at the handing over ceremony for the 39 new homes they built together for needy families.

NEW HOME FOR THE THOMPSON FAMILY: Marvin and Ellie Walworth (center), who funded the construction of 39 houses with Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica in McCook’s Pen, St. Catherine, cut a ribbon which symbolizes the official hand over to the recipients (from left) Elaine Thompson and her two children Akeem Smith and Joel Palmer. Also sharing in the moment are Natalie Carlisle who is responsible for Major Giving and Special Events at FFP Inc. and David Mair, Executive Director of FFP Jamaica.

WALWORTH’S RIBBON CUTTING: Housing recipient, Elaine Thompson (left) along with her two children Akeem Smith and Joel Palmer cheer after the ribbon cutting signalling the opening of her new house. Marvin Walworth (center), and his wife Ellie (third left) who funded the construction of 39 houses at McCook’s Pen, St. Catherine, have cut the ribbon which symbolizes the official handover to the recipients. Also sharing in the moment are Natalie Carlisle (second right) from Food For The Poor Inc in Florida and David Mair, Executive Director of FFP Jamaica.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH: Donors from the United States, Marvin and Ellie Walworth, receive a token of appreciation from Ms. Icyline Wright, President of the McCook’s Pen Citizens Association during the official opening of the Walworth Family Village located in McCook’s Pen, St. Catherine.

NEW HOME FOR ‘BOBBETTE’: Patricia Stevens, also called Ms. Bobbette in the new community of Walworth Family Village, expresses her gratitude to Food For The Poor and the donors for providing her family with a house.

MORE PEOPLE TURNING TO FFP FOR HELP - Jamaica Observer - April 15, 2015

(L-R) MAHFOOD... in the last couple of years, with the austerity measures, life has been more difficult for many Jamaicans (PHOTOS: ANTONIO GRAHAM) MOORE... as soon as there is a fire, Food For the Poor is called on. MAIR... we have a waiting list of over 5,000 [persons] who have made applications to us.

CHARITY NOW SPENDING $11.4 BILLION ANNUALLY; 1,200 HOUSES BUILT YEARLY

BY INGRID BROWN Associate Editor -- Special Assignment browni@jamaicaobserver.com

FOOD For the Poor (FFP) Jamaica spent $11.4 billion last year to roll out its many social programmes as the poverty needs become increasingly greater in light of Government's austerity measures, according to executives of the local charity organisation.

FFP Chairman Andrew Mahfood said demands on the organisation have been overwhelming at times. However, he said it's great that the charity has been able to offer assistance.

"In the last couple of years, with the austerity measures... life [has been] more difficult for many Jamaicans, and I think with the Government tightening up its belt it hasn't been able to do all that it should... and the demand on us is huge," said the FFP chairman.

Mahfood, who was addressing the weekly Jamaica Observer Monday Exchange at the newspaper's head office in Kingston, said the demand for assistance with education and housing was limitless.

He explained that the organisation builds some 1,200 houses yearly, which is now done in partnership with the Government's Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP).

According to Mahfood, the organisation which started out with food donations quickly realised that this alone was not going to solve poverty issues.

"What will solve the poverty issue is when you build a school and you educate somebody and that person becomes a doctor or a reporter or whatever; you have taken somebody out of always being poor and given them the lifestyle and broken the cycle," Mahfood said.

Having evolved into this holistic- type charity, the chairman said the organisation has been trying to raise funds locally as well, instead of only depending on the generosity of its US-based parent company, which gets most of its donations from Americans.

Executive Director of Food For the Poor David Mair said although the organisation is building 1,200 houses each year, the demand is way much higher than it can meet.

"We have a waiting list of over 5,000 [persons] who have made applications to us," Mair said, adding that the demand for housing has been steadily increasing.

At the same time, FFP's Director of Recipient Services, Susan Moore, said the organisation is the first to be called upon for a lot of emergency needs which cannot be readily met by other entities.

"... As soon as there is a fire, Food For the Poor is called on. There are even the social agencies who refer people to Food For the Poor, so the numbers multiply as the years go by," she said.

The needs have not only increased but have become very dire in many instances as Moore said they are seeing cases where families with children live in chicken coops and outside pit latrines.

"...It was someone's pit latrine they were living in where they would go in the evenings to have a coverage (shelter). This is a family that now has their own house and the children are doing well, but those are the things when you go out in the fields that you come across," she told the Exchange.

According to Moore, more people have moved into the grouping which meets the organisation's criteria to classify as a beneficiary as persons who lose their homes to the many fires in recent times, and the death of main bread winners.

And as the needs become greater, Moore said the organisation has had to ensure that it is first helping those whose situations are most dire.

"So you want to look at the person who has no shelter at all as being the first line of persons you want to assist; and then up from there persons whose shelter really is not a shelter because of all the elements they are faced with; and then if children are included or if there is a disability, those are how we have to prioritise over the years," she explained.

Like the other members of the FFP team, Moore said she was hoping the organisation would reap great success from its staging of a 5K run next month, proceeds of which will be used to build more houses for the hundreds of persons still waiting.

The organisation has built a total of 38,000 houses since it began providing shelter for needy Jamaicans.

Food for the Poor has evolved over the years to provide more than just food and housing to the destitute, but is now a major donor of education grants, medication and hospital supplies, agricultural and fisheries supplies. The charity has also built scores of public schools, operates a free health centre at St Joseph's Hospital in Kingston, providing medical care and medication for the 10,000 patients seen each year.

The charity also has a wheelchair donation programme and assists the National Housing Trust in the building of houses under its First Step Housing programme.

"...Our overall organisation has an expense to contribution ratio of five per cent, so basically for every $1 the organisation raises five cents goes towards its expense and 95 per cent goes towards its projects and to the poor," Mahfood said.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/More-people-turning-to-FFP-for-help_18751254

FOOD FOR THE POOR COMPLETES 50 SCHOOLS 18 MONTHS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE - Jamaica Observer - April 14, 2015

Food For the Poor Executive Director David Mair (right) explains the checks and balances system the charity uses to ensure integrity as his Chairman Andrew Mahfood listens at yesterday’s Jamaica Observer Monday Exchange. (PHOTO: ANTONIO GRAHAM)

BY ALPHEA SAUNDERS
Senior Staff Reporter
saundersa@jamaicaobserver.com

Food For the Poor (FFP) Jamaica has delivered on its promise to complete 50 schools in observance of Jamaica's golden anniversary of Independence, 18 months sooner than was planned.

Executives of the charity told this week's Jamaica Observer Monday Exchange that the schools were to be built in 50 months, but with the assistance, mainly of overseas donors, the projects were completed close to two years earlier than projected.

Marlon Stephens, FFP's director of construction services (wood), further disclosed that the organisation wants to venture into building larger schools, and would be seeking to move its construction model up to as much as 24 units.

He explained that while FFP generally replicates the models it uses for houses, in design for schools the organisation is moving towards carrying out such projects based on the needs of the schools. This, he said, would see an expansion of the current maximum of 16 units, to 24 units, to create a layout which is different from the type that is now used.

"We are replicating our design to meet the needs of the schools. The schools that you see now, some are straight. Dependent on the size of the school, we would turn that into a U-shaped school, so you would end up having quite a number of units," he said.

Stephens said that while FFP has, over the years, focused on primary schools, the charity does accommodate requests for high schools and will, in fact, shortly begin construction on a high school in St Mary, as well as another in Hanover, which will be partially concrete.

"Food For the Poor in Haiti has built some big schools, and we have done one or two out of concrete structures. We are in discussion with the ministry [of education] here to look at putting up one or two schools as well," FFP Chairman Andrew Mahfood added.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Food-For-the-Poor-completes-50-schools-18-months-ahead-of-schedule_18752132

FOOD FOR THE POOR EXPLAINS HOW IT MAINTAINS INTEGRITY - Jamaica Observer - April 14, 2015

Food For the Poor’s Director of Construction Services (Wood) Marlon Stephens addressing yesterday’s Jamaica Observer Monday Exchange. (PHOTO: ANTONIO GRAHAM)

"We actually know where every grain of rice goes on a weekly or monthly basis."

Food For the Poor (FFP) executives say the charity has maintained its integrity by ensuring a rigid system of checks and balances to ensure that those most in need receive its assistance.

Speaking about the charity's operations at the Observer Monday Exchange yesterday, Executive Director David Mair pointed out that representatives at its 14 distribution centres maintain an up-to-date database, which allows for the keeping of proper records and tracking of its operations.

"Anything that goes out, we know exactly where it goes to, and there has to be accountability right down the line to the recipients," he stated.

He further noted the organisation's emphasis on transparency. "The people who manage those distribution points put together a weekly list, we accept the list, go through them... we actually know where every grain of rice goes on a weekly, or monthly basis. That's all reported back to the board. We have to be totally transparent. We are audited externally every year," Mair said.

There is also a reporting system, to ensure accurate accounts of the operations, explained Director of Recipient Services Susan Moore. "For everything that we do, there is a very rigid process that is adjusted as we go on to ensure that we capture what is happening. Everybody has to send a report at the end of the period (and) that report is called back to the recipient -- we call that person to verify, without offering information, as to what they should have received," she outlined.

Moore noted also that feedback is vital to the process, to ensure that adjustments are made where necessary.

She said that while FFP targets the most destitute, this does not exclude certain categories of persons or families, such as those where the breadwinner earns a minimum wage, or "hustles" for a living, and needs additional support.

"Most of the families are single (parent families). We consider those to be destitute. So we try to ensure that the persons who are benefiting are those who are in the greatest need," she said.

Meanwhile, FFP Chairman Andrew Mahfood, while noting the partnerships that have been forged with the State, such as the housing initiative under the Government's Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP), made it clear that the charity staunchly maintains its independence.

"The idea of JEEP is that all 63 constituencies will benefit. We request that each constituency give us 10 names, and we try to build in those constituencies. If we don't get the names, we are going to move on. We are not told (where to build), and we would never take instructions on where to build. We do the investigative work and we build," he stated.

Mahfood noted that in instances where some constituencies may benefit from larger numbers of housing donations, this could be a result of how much effort particular members of parliament (MPs) put into seeking help for their constituents.

"You do have some MPs that may work in their constituencies more than others. If we have an MP who constantly shows us where poverty is, or where there is need, the truth is that that MP is going to get more of our attention, because if you take us and show us where it (the need) is, we are going to follow you, and if we see it and verify it, we are going to make an effort to make things better. We don't concentrate our resources on any one area," he said, noting that the organisation works with a broad mix of stakeholders.

FFP Jamaica is a branch of Food For the Poor Inc, which is based in Florida, in the United States, and partners with stakeholders including non-governmental and private sector organisations on housing, sanitation, education, outreach and agriculture. Its work is sustained by donations filtered from its parent company, which is the largest international relief and development organisation in the US.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Food-For-the-Poor-explains-how-it-maintains-integrity_18751912

WE NEED HELP - Jamaica Observer - April 14, 2015

Food For the Poor (FFP) Jamaica Chairman Andrew Mahfood (third left) addressing yesterday’s Jamaica Observer Monday Exchange. Also photographed are FFP executives (from left) Marlon Stephens, director construction services, wood; Susan Moore, director recipient services; David Mair, executive director; Marsha Burrell, marketing manager; and Petri-Ann Henry, public relations officer. (PHOTO: ANTONIO GRAHAM)

'Food For the Poor using 5K to launch major fund drive'
BY INGRID BROWN
Associate Editor
Special Assignment browni@jamaicaobserver.com

Food For the Poor (FFP) Jamaica is now turning to the private sector for assistance in raising funds to meet the demands of the ever growing list of people in need of shelter and other vital services.

The local charity is using a 5K walk/run, to be staged next month, as the starting point to kick off the new initiative to get buy-in of corporate Jamaica to assist in this area.

Chairman of Food For the Poor Jamaica Andrew Mahfood said the aim of the 5K walk/run is to raise funds that will help make the non-profit organisation a little less reliant on its Florida-based parent company.

"The idea is to raise as much as we can through our 5K, really connect to Jamaica more than we have and raise funds to begin to start becoming a little more self-sufficient rather than just relying on Florida," Mahfood said.

Mahfood, who along with his team, was addressing the weekly Jamaica Observer Monday Exchange at the newspaper's head office in Kingston, explained that the parent company is willing to match every US$3,200 FFP Jamaica raises from the 5K walk/run, which is half the cost of building a house.

"They have funds they can earmark for 300 homes and if we don't take that up as a country it will go to another one of the 17 countries that Food For the Poor serves," he explained.

"We really are hoping for a huge turnout. We are hoping for huge sponsors from corporate Jamaica," he said, noting that it will take some significant donations to come close to its goal of US$960,000, which is what they would be required to raise to build the targeted 300 houses.

"It is an overly ambitious target, but if we could get it, it's Jamaican families that would benefit," he said.

According to Mahfood, the plan is to begin selling to companies the importance of contributing to Food For the Poor.

"One of the things we are going to be doing is going to the boardrooms of corporate Jamaica and pitching to them that we can help them to have more effect with their funds... as we can execute better than their foundations can," Mahfood said.

The chairman said a lot of companies that do great work in Jamaica tend to look at Food For the Poor as an organisation which may not need financial assistance.

Mahfood said the charity is prepared to partner with some of these companies to execute co-branded projects if they so choose.

"If a corporate entity wants to help it can be co-branded if the donor wants that, but in terms of raising funds we want to get over that hurdle where more of corporate Jamaica see that we can execute better and more cost-effective than any other organisation in Jamaica," he said.

Meanwhile, Mahfood said it is not that funding is drying up from its parent company, which consistently continues to take on more projects from Jamaica.

Executive Director of Food For the Poor David Mair said as a Jamaican organisation it is important to get corporate Jamaica involved.

"I just think the awareness needs to be more here, and the start of it is going with the 5K. Once we get through that and people start to understand how important it is to help the needy here, then we will start a marketing process of going around to corporate Jamaica and sitting in the boardrooms and talking and seeing what kinds of funds we can get," he told the Exchange.

"Poverty is a Jamaican problem because we are in Jamaica and the corporate entities need to understand that helping us alleviate the poverty here is going to help them in the long run also."

Marketing Manager Marsha Burrell said people who are unable to participate in the 5K walk/run can still make online donations via the organisation's website.

"We really want to get the message out there that we need the support of corporate Jamaica to come onboard with us," she said.

The event, which will be staged on May 9 under the theme 'Changing Lives - Restoring Families', will begin with a warm-up at 6:00 am at Emancipation Park. Race start time is 6:30 am and will see participants leaving Emancipation Park to Oxford Road, on to Old Hope Road, Seaview Avenue to Lady Musgrave Road, Trafalgar Road to Knutsford Boulevard and end at Emancipation Park.

Food For the Poor Marketing Manager Marsha Burrell explains the importance of the 5K walk/run to the charity’s fund-raising efforts. (PHOTO: ANTONIO GRAHAM)

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/We-need-help_18751255

FLORIDA STUDENTS DONATE HOUSE TO NEEDY FAMILY - Corporate Hands - April 9, 2015

Students from Nova Southeastern University School, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, recently donated US$3,200 to Food For The Poor to fund a house for a needy family in inner-city Kingston.

According to Kevin Dibert, faculty adviser, "University School is all about teaching our students to be well-educated and socially conscientious members of society who are committed to making a positive difference in the world."

His school-sponsored World in Distress (WIND) club chose Food For The Poor as their focus from a suggestion by Matthew Lyn, grandson of Island Grill CEO Thalia Lyn and her husband Captain (Ret) Michael Lyn.

Matthew and his fellow club members raised funds so that a Jamaican family could have a safe place to call home. He said he was always inspired by the great work that his grandmother does with Monsignor Gregory Ramkissoon at Mustard Seed Community and wanted to do something as significant with his high school in Florida. After a suggestion from his parents, Matthew partnered with Food For The Poor to build a home for a Jamaican family. Being born in Jamaica, Matthew said he always felt the importance of being connected to the island, which has given his family so much.

The University School senior will be attending New York University Stern School this fall.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20150408/florida-students-donate-house-needy-family

FOOD FOR THE POOR RELEASES NONVIOLENT PRISONERS FOR EASTER'S HOLY WEEK - News Release - April 1, 2015

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (April 1, 2015) – To prepare for Easter’s Holy Week, Food For The Poor donors offered second chances to 56 nonviolent prisoners in Jamaica (20), Honduras (16), Haiti (15), and Guyana (5). These prisoners, who were jailed because of their inability to pay small fines, are now able to celebrate the resurrection of Christ with their families.

“As the released inmates move from the darkness into the light, we pray they will recognize that God is merciful, and He is a God of second chances,” said Robin Mahfood, President/CEO of Food For The Poor. “You will open the eyes of the blind and set free those who sit in dark prisons…” (Isaiah 42:7, GNT).

On March 19 in Haiti, a Food For The Poor mission group entered the Cap-Haitien barracks to pay the fines of 15 nonviolent offenders.

“We have all heard of Third-World prisons, but seeing one is another experience altogether,” said Jim Christie, a Business Development Manager at Performance Services. “There were faces pressed against the cell bars and heavy metal mesh fencing with several arms and hands sticking out of small holes in the fencing. The cell was so dense with the faces and bodies pressing against the bars that you could not see light coming through from behind the prisoners.”

“Our prison ministry program included washing the feet of the prisoners, providing them a new pair of shoes through Samaritan’s Feet, praying over them for God’s graces, and then paying for their release back into society. The entire experience was overwhelming. The lack of hope in these prisoners’ eyes was extremely disturbing,” said Christie.

The Performance Services group paid the $327 fine to release a 13-year-old who broke a car window, while throwing stones with friends. The money had been raised through T-shirt sales before the mission trip.

The young man, who had been incarcerated for more than a month, said, “My parents are unable to come to my aid. That’s why I am so sad. But in the cell of the prison, I learned how to pray. I ask you to pray for me, my family, my friends, especially those who were in the same cell.”

In Guyana, another young prisoner was among the five inmates who were released on March 23 from Georgetown Prison and Timehri Prison.

The 17-year-old, a first-time offender who served 20 days of his six-week sentence for stealing a duck, was released after his fines were paid by Food For The Poor donors. The grateful young man told Food For The Poor-Guyana Chairman Paul Chan-a-Sue that he looks forward to being reunited with his mother and younger sisters.

Mahfood, who spoke to the freed prisoners by phone, cautioned and challenged them to never return to prison. The newly released prisoners were provided travel money and care packages.

A total of 20 inmates were released from several prisons and police stations in Jamaica on March 25 and 26. Many of the misdemeanors included traffic offenses and larceny.

The sole female inmate to be released in Jamaica was from Fort Augusta Adult Correctional Center.

“I was seated outside and a superintendent came up to me and said I should go in the chapel, so I obeyed her orders. Oh Jesus, I can’t tell you just how happy I was to hear my name, I had no idea that I would receive my freedom. I was trembling,” she said, with tears in her eyes. “When I heard my name I thought I was just getting a gift, then it was announced that Food For The Poor was paying my fine to leave the institution. I couldn’t even speak. I couldn’t move from my seat. I thank you all for this gift.”

“I want you to remember that everything in life works for your good once you have God as the center of your life,” said David Mair, Food For The Poor-Jamaica Executive Director, to inmates at St. Catherine Adult Correctional Center. “You should thank Him for this blessing you have received. I have worked for 18 years in corporate Jamaica, but in the eight months I have been at Food For The Poor, I have learned so much more as it relates to serving others. I consider Food For The Poor a strong arm for the Lord in this regard. To the inmates, I encourage you to help somebody just as you have been helped.”

While in prison, one inmate declined to receive the money his family sent to pay his fine, so his brother could receive medical treatment.

“I have a younger brother who is 14 years old,” said the 21-year-old, who was sentenced to 30 days for larceny. “While in prison, my mother told me that he was getting sick because of issues with asthma but she didn’t have the money to get him treatment. I love my brother dearly so I figured it was best for me to stay in prison and learn from my mistakes. It was better for me to live here for a while than to see my brother get severely sick, so I gave my mother the money to take care of his medical fees.”

When he learned that Food For The Poor was giving him a second chance, he said, “I appreciate this so much. I am really thankful for this assistance and I am really excited about going home to see my brother and mother.”

Since the inception of Food For The Poor’s Prison Ministry Program in Jamaica in 1998, the charity has assisted in freeing, training and reintroducing prisoners back into the community. Prison authorities have found Food For The Poor’s Prison Ministry Program to be so successful that they have implemented a similar program themselves. Some prisons now offer inmates jobs in the prison where they are held so that they can earn money to pay off their fines.

The final Easter prison release came on March 27 in Honduras. Sixteen prisoners wrote notes of gratitude to Food For The Poor donors, reflecting on past decisions, and the circumstances that led to their imprisonment.

Twice a year – during the week of Christmas and during Easter’s Holy Week – the Food For The Poor Prison Ministry Program releases inmates who have committed minor offenses. The ministry is based on the scripture, “…I was in prison and you visited me…,” (Matthew 25: 31-46).

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.

-END-

CONTACT: Jennifer Leigh Oates
Public Relations
(954) 427-2222 x 6054
jennifero@foodforthepoor.org


HERE ARE SOME PHOTOGRAPHS FROM JAMAICA'S PRISON RELEASE

A HOME FOR PEACHES - Jamaica Observer - April 2, 2015

Peaches Henry and three of her five children pose outside their unfinished house in Waltham Park, St Andrew. The house was a donation from charity organisation Food for the Poor. (PHOTOS: GARFIELD ROBINSON)

BY KIMMO MATTHEWS Observer staff reporter
matthewsk@jamaicaobserver.com
Thursday, April 02, 2015

FOOD For the Poor (FFP) has completed construction of a house for street sweeper Peaches Henry whose plight was highlighted in the Jamaica Observer on March 1.

"I am very grateful for the help that Food for the Poor and the Jamaica Observer have provided. If it was not for these organisations and the help of concerned citizens, I don't know what I would do," said the 38-year-old single mother.

She made the comment as a team from FFP spent a day constructing the two-bedroom for her and her children.

Three of the street sweeper's five children, who were on hand to witness the construction, celebrated and cheered as FFP employers carried out their work.

Several of Jamaican's top entertainers, including Assassin and members of No Madzz group were also on hand to help. Members from the Observer's marketing team also provided assistance.

"We want to thank the Observer; they were the ones who featured the story about Peaches and, because of that, we got the funding to build the home," said Marsha Burrell, marketing manager at FFP.

According to Burrell the house was built under the FFP's '5K Run' initiative, which is scheduled for May 9.

"Our aim is to build 300 homes under our FFP 5K run, and the house constructed for Peaches was one from that list," Burrell emphasised.

Meanwhile, the Observer team was elated to be a part of the initiative.

"This particular initiative started with, of course, the story that was written but, as a corporate entity, the Observer didn't want to just leave it at that; we wanted our team to actually come and see it come to fruition," said assistant manager of marketing and communications at Observer, Pamille Shaw-Blair.

"Partnering with FFP was important to us as well because we are always seeing how much a change agent they are and when we put the two companies together its really a synergy," said Shaw-Blair.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/A-home-for-Peaches_18679647

Peaches Henry (second left) with members of the Jamaica Observer marketing team (from left) Pamille Shaw-Blair, Kamilah Morrison, and Andrea Beckford. The Observer team was on hand to help with construction of Henry’s house.

Food for the Poor volunteers hard at work.