Food for the Poor Inc.
Food For The Poor (FFP) was founded by Ferdinand Mahfood. His vision was instrumental in guiding the charity as it became the most significant relief organization in the Caribbean and Latin America. Robin Mahfood, who has extensive experience in business management and an in-depth knowledge of the Caribbean, assumed the Presidency in 2000 and provides the leadership for Food For The Poor during this time of unprecedented growth.
Created to help destitute people in Central America and the Caribbean, Food For The Poor has forged a spirit of cooperation between churches of the First World and churches of the Third World. Established as a 501(c)(3) charity, FFP collects funds from North American and European benefactors, purchases goods cost-effectively on the world market, ships the items duty-free and arranges for their distribution to the poor through churches, missionaries and charity organizations.
Food For The Poor follows the principle that education and self-help must fortify charity work so recipients learn to break the cycle of poverty. FFP supports programs that teach recipients how to raise livestock and develop small businesses, and provides agricultural assistance to independent farmers.
Food For The Poor, one of the largest international relief and development organizations in the nation, does much more than feed millions of the hungry poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. Founded in 1982, the interdenominational Christian ministry serves the poorest of the poor. Thanks to its faithful donors, the organization’s programs are providing housing, healthcare, education, fresh water, emergency relief and micro-enterprise assistance, in addition to feeding hundreds of thousands of people each day.
Since its inception in 1982, Food For The Poor has provided more than $11 billion in aid (more than half of which was provided in the last six years) and has built more than 100,000 housing units for the destitute. From January to June 2015, Food For The Poor constructed 5,138 housing units for families in need of safe shelter. Total fundraising and administrative costs in 2014 comprised less than 5% of our expenses. More than 95% of all donations go directly to programs that help the poor.
In a 2014 survey of the 50 largest U.S. charities, Forbes magazine rated Food For The Poor the seventh-largest recipient of private support. With a charitable commitment ratio of 96%, and a fundraising efficiency of 97%, Food For The Poor received the highest possible ratings from industry observers such as Ministry Watch, and is also proud to meet the extensive standards of America’s most experienced charity evaluator, the Better Business Bureau.
Food For The Poor’s mission is to link the church of the First World with the church of the Third World in a manner that helps both the materially poor and the poor in spirit. The materially poor are served by local churches, clergy and lay leaders who have been empowered and supplied with goods by Food For The Poor. The poor in spirit are renewed by their relationship with and service to the poor through the direct ministry of teaching, encouragement and prayer. Ultimately, FFP seeks to bring both benefactors and recipients to a closer union with the Lord.