FOOD FOR THE POOR DELIVERS HOME FOR FIRE VICTIM - Corporate Hands - April 28, 2016

THANKS TO Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica and Tank-Weld Metals Limited, Cherline Hoyes, a 55-year-old fire victim, abuse victim and downtown Kingston vendor, says is now the owner of her home.

In 2000, her home on West Street in Kingston was burnt down and she ended up in an abusive relationship which lasted 13 years and produced a son.

"My situation was very bad. After I got baptized, things get worse with me and my baby father. The verbal and physical abuse got so bad. Him used to fight mi off sometimes. I had one child for him, and he had two other children living with us. Things used to be so hard for us, because what we earned was just not enough, and what he contributed was very small. I used to cry day and night but mi stay ina di situation long, because I had nowhere else to live,” Hoyes said.

According to her, she sought refuge in a small dwelling with a friend, along with that friend's children and grandchildren.

She prayed for a change to her living conditions that she thought of applying for a house from FFP. While she prayed, she saved, and eventually leased land in Waltham Park, Kingston.

On June 28, 2015, her prayers were answered by FFP Jamaica and Tank Weld Metals Limited, who collaborated to construct a house for her with funds donated in support of FFP Jamaica’s inaugural Run/Walk.

Chris Bicknell, CEO of Tank-Weld, said the organisation chose to donate the funds for this house because they are always looking for ways to give back to Jamaica and to communities.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20160428/corporate-hands-food-poor-delivers-home-fire-victim

HOUSES TO BE BUILT FROM FOOD FOR THE POOR 5K EARNINGS - The Star - April 6, 2016

Thousands of Jamaicans will receive support this year when Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica hosts its second annual 5K Run/Walk, May 7, to raise funds for the construction of houses for indigent families in Jamaica.

The official launch of this event took place on April 5 at Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston.

Speaking at the event's launch yesterday at Spanish Court Hotel, FFP Jamaica's executive director, David Mair, said the organisation raised approximately $46.5 million from the first staging of the event in 2015 and is hoping to surpass that amount for 2016.

We're proud to announce that 64 houses were constructed for poverty-stricken families across the island from funds raised. However, 842 houses were constructed in 2015 by FFP, overall. This is a major accomplishment for our charity group in its 34th year of existence," Mair said, adding that it hopes to build at least 100 houses this year.

Marsha Burrell, development and marketing manager, FFP Jamaica, said the route for this year's 5K remains the same as 2015's route, starting at Emancipation Park in New Kingston.

Persons wishing to participate can register at http://runningeventsja.com/foodforthepoor

FOOD FOR THE POOR 5K PROMISES TO TOUCH MORE LIVES - Jamaica Observer - April 6, 2016

The second staging of the Food For the Poor 5K Run/Walk race will take place on Saturday, May 7, to raise funds for the construction of approximately 100 houses, it was announced at yesterday’s launch at the Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston.

Last year, the event garnered $46.5 million and 64 houses were built as a result for poverty-stricken families across the island.

Andrew Mahfood, chairman of Food For the Poor (FFP) Jamaica, said his organisation will be aggressive against poverty.

“My team will tell you, this is something I take very seriously,” said Mahfood.

The 5K/Walk race will once again start and finish at the Emancipation Park in New Kingston. The warm-up session is 6:15 am and the race will run off at 6:30 am.
Participants will start at Emancipation Park, then east to Oxford Road, turn north onto Old Hope Road then west on Seaview Road, another left onto Lady Musgrave Road, then right to Trafalgar Road and left onto Knutsford Boulevard and finishing at the starting point.

Regular entrance fee will be $1,000 per person and $2,000 for the premium package that includes souvenir t-shirts, light breakfast and race packet delivery.

The theme of the event is ‘Changing Lives, Restoring Families’.

One of last year’s beneficiaries, Grace-Ann Anderson, shared an emotional testimony about her struggles and eventually benefiting from FFP.

Meanwhile, Douglas Orane, one of the many donors, said it’s about helping people who have “stumbled into a pothole”. He cited a case of a gentleman that lives in St Elizabeth who was financially and emotionally distraught after his efforts to assist his ailing son failed and his son eventually died.

“When he got the house it really helped him to get back on his feet, so it’s a good feeling for us,” said Orane.

Meanwhile, Food For the Poor ambassador and 2011 World Championships 100m gold medallist, Yohan Blake, was on hand and gave his endorsement at the launch along with rising stars Akeem Bloomfield of Kingston College, Calabar High’s Christopher Taylor, Warren Barrett Jnr and Fabian Hewitt.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/Food-For-the-Poor-5K-promises-to-touch-more-lives_56836

FOOD FOR THE POOR 5K SET FOR MAY 7 - News Release - April 5, 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kingston, Jamaica – April 5, 2016: In this Year of Mercy, one of the Corporal Works, ‘sheltering the homeless’ will receive the support of thousands of Jamaicans. Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica will on May 7 host its second annual 5K Run/Walk to raise funds for the construction of houses for indigent families in Jamaica.

The official launch of this event will take place on April 5 at the Spanish Court Hotel in Kingston.

Speaking in an interview recently, FFP Jamaica Executive Director David Mair said the organisation raised approximately J$46.5 million from the first staging of the event in 2015 and are hoping to surpass that amount for 2016.

“We’re proud to announce that 64 houses were constructed for poverty-stricken families across the island from the funds raised. However, 842 houses were constructed in 2015 by FFP overall. This is a major accomplishment for our charity group in its thirty-fourth year of existence,” Mair said.

He added, “For 2016, we are looking forward to extending our reach to more Jamaicans from funds raised from the 5K. We would like to build at least 100 houses and surpass the approximately J$46.5 million which we made last year.”

Mair said the best way to achieve this objective is through the support of Jamaicans, especially those from all levels of society.

Marsha Burrell, Development/Marketing Manager, FFP Jamaica, said the route for this year’s 5K remains the same as 2015’s route.

“The FFP Jamaica 5K race will start and end at Emancipation Park. Registration is now open on Running Event’s website.”

“In 2015, FFP’s head office equally matched the donations made through registrations. For 2016, the same will occur. Again, our head office in Florida has committed to matching the funds collected during registrations,” Burrell said.

Those interested in registering for FFP Jamaica’s 5K can to do so via the link http://www.runningeventsja.com/foodforthepoor. Those who register for the Premium
Package by Friday, April 15 will receive a souvenir. Payment, along with printed registration forms, can also be made at the Paymaster locations islandwide to register for the 5K. Those who choose this option of payment, will have to scan their receipts and entry forms and email them to secretariat@foodforthepoorja.org or hand deliver to any of the following locations:

• Stella Maris Church, 62 Shortwood Road, Kingston 8
• St. Richard's Church, 126 Red Hills Road, Kingston 19
• Sts. Peter & Paul Church, 120 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6
• Chez Maria, 80 Lady Musgrave Road, Kingston 5
• Food For The Poor, Ellerslie Pen, Spanish Town, St. Catherine
• Running Events Limited, 87-89 Tower Street, Kingston

-end-

For more information, please contact Marsha Burrell at 859-9339 or 830-8945.

Prepared by PRO Communications Limited