Hurricane Beryl Recovery: Fighting Poverty & Hunger in the Caribbean

Beyond The Plate: Ep. 23 - Preparing When the Storm Comes Home

In July 2024, Hurricane Beryl tore through the Caribbean, leaving widespread devastation that is still being felt today. In Grenada, 95% of homes in some regions were destroyed. St. Vincent and the Grenadines suffered damage to 90% of its infrastructure. And for Food For The Poor Jamaica, this disaster struck especially close to home.

"Kivette Silvera, former Executive Director of FFTP Jamaica, offers a powerful glimpse behind the scenes of disaster response. “Once a hurricane or any disaster is on its way, it doesn’t matter who you are,” Silvera shares. “You are now in disaster response mode—there are no titles.”

Long before storms appear, teams work tirelessly to prepare—establishing emergency protocols, securing resources, and ensuring staff are ready to act. Yet, the most extraordinary stories often come from personal sacrifice. One team member, for instance, lost his own roof and lived without electricity for weeks—yet continued showing up daily to help others rebuild.

Silvera’s words capture the heart of FFTP’s mission:
“This isn’t just a job—it’s a calling to serve others in their darkest moments, bringing hope when all seems lost.”
Through partnerships with local organizations and community groups, Food For The Poor continues to amplify its impact across Jamaica and the Caribbean. Because in times of crisis, together we are stronger, and together we make a difference.

WATCH BEYOND THE PLATE EPISODES LIVE IN OUR STUDIO

Join Paul and Danny live in the studio for Season 2 of Beyond the Plate as they engage in thought-provoking conversations with a powerful lineup of guests. From Barron Segar, CEO of World Food Program USA, and Monica Majors of World Central Kitchen, to Steve Urchin, manager of Sean Paul, and global music icon Shaggy, each episode dives deep into stories that go far beyond feeding the hungry. This season shines a light on thought leaders, innovators, and changemakers who are breaking the cycle of poverty and driving lasting impact through compassion and creativity.

You'll also hear inspiring perspectives from Cedella Marley, daughter of the legendary Bob Marley, Christian singer Blanca, and beloved Hispanic star Angélica Vale, as they share how uniting communities through sustainable development can create meaningful, long-term change. Tune in for powerful stories of hope, resilience, and real solutions that uplift lives and nourish the soul.

List of Episodes

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Beyond The Plate: Ep. 1

Hey friends! It's Paul Jacobs and Danny Patiño here, grateful for you tuning in to our Podcast: Beyond The Plate. In our first episode, our aim is to connect with you on a more personal level and give you insight into our individual journeys that led us to this moment.

Beyond The Plate: Ep. 2

In this second episode, we had the privilege of sitting down with Cedella Marley, daughter of the legendary Bob Marley. We also welcomed Ed Raine, the CEO of Food For The Poor, for an inspired conversation.

Beyond The Plate: Ep. 3

Discover Aubrey McLean's inspiring journey from beneficiary to a beacon of hope. He shares how he overcame adversity, transformed his life, and now dedicates himself to changing lives through compassion and leadership.

Beyond The Plate: Ep. 4

Education and life lessons come in many shapes, forms—and often through unexpected people. In this episode, we take a deeper dive into our personal journeys, exploring the impact of education and the teachers who helped shape us.

Beyond The Plate: Ep. 5

Steve Wilson, also known as Mystic Steve or just plain Steve Urchin is a husband, father, music executive, author, mentor, philanthropist, and artist manager to Jamaican reggae star Sean Paul.

Beyond The Plate: Ep. 6

Sadiel Castro was born in Puerto Rico and later moved to Philadelphia with his parents, who are both pastors. It was there that he began his career in radio broadcasting.

Beyond The Plate: Ep. 7

Explore the compelling story of Blanca, whose resilience, creativity, and faith shine through in her music. This video reveals how her life's challenges have inspired songs like 'Something Better,' celebrating the idea that nothing is wasted.

Beyond The Plate: Ep. 8

In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Angelica Vale to discuss her commitment to empowering young girls in Mexico, especially during Hispanic Heritage Month.

Beyond The Plate: Ep. 9

In this inspiring episode, Myrka Dellanos reflects on her personal mission to foster community partnerships through her work with Food For The Poor and Vida Unida.

Beyond The Plate: Ep. 10

In the podcast "Beyond the Plate," hosts Paul Jacobs and Danielle Patinho explore the deep human connections formed through sharing food, while emphasizing the importance of community and heartfelt conversations.

Beyond The Plate: Ep. 11

The video titled "Beyond The Plate Ep.11 - World Central Kitchen's Mission in Crisis, Comfort & Humanity" delves into the impactful work of World Central Kitchen (WCK), a nonprofit organization founded by Chef José Andrés.

Beyond The Plate: Ep. 12

Episode 12 of Beyond The Plate explores the mission of Feed My Starving Children (FMSC), a nonprofit dedicated to fighting child hunger through volunteer-packed, nutritious meals distributed worldwide.

Beyond The Plate: Ep. 13

In Episode 13 of the "Beyond The Plate" podcast, titled "Building Bridges Through Community, Compassion and Coffee," Pastor Steven Snook discusses his innovative "pay-what-you-want" coffeehouse concept.

Beyond The Plate: Ep. 14

In Episode 14, titled "International Recording Artist Shaggy: Music, Generosity & Transformation," the hosts engage in a compelling conversation with Shaggy, the renowned reggae and dancehall artist.

Beyond The Plate: Ep. 15

In Episode 15, titled "Mike Gallagher: Championing Compassion, Generosity, and a Legacy of Kindness," the hosts explore his diverse interests in literature and theater.

Beyond The Plate: Ep. 16

In Episode 16 of the "Beyond The Plate" podcast, titled "Hope Out of the Ashes: Resilience After the L.A. Wildfires," the hosts visit Pacific Palisades, California, to explore the community's resilience following devastating wildfires.

Beyond The Plate: Ep. 17

Steven Snook and many other 'Angelinos' lost property and possessions in the L.A. wildfires (Ground Zero of one of the greatest natural disasters in US history). Our latest episode dives deep into the themes of resilience.

Beyond The Plate: Ep. 18

International Women's Day, celebrated annually on March 8, honors the incredible achievements of women and creates real opportunities for young girls to succeed. Step into inspiring conversations on Beyond the Plate as we celebrate International Women's Day.

Beyond The Plate: Ep. 19

Mike Mantel, President and CEO of Living Water International, shares his remarkable journey from installing sprinkler systems in California to addressing the global water crisis through physical and spiritual transformation in partnership with Food For The Poor.

Beyond The Plate: Ep. 20

The latest Beyond the Plate episode features Ruth Alvarez-DeGolia, Founder & Executive Director of Mercado Global. In this episode, you'll hear how Mercado Global is helping women artisans in Guatemala break the cycle of poverty—one handcrafted bag at a time.

Beyond The Plate: Ep. 21

Deep in the mountains of Colombia, teenagers like Sandra once faced treacherous daily treks to collect unsafe drinking water. Today, thanks to transformative programs serving 46 families, Sandra attends school instead of carrying heavy water jugs, and local doctors report dramatic improvements in community health.

Beyond The Plate: Ep. 22

Sometimes, the smallest acts of faith and compassion can spark extraordinary change. This is the story of Greensburg, Indiana, and Cucuyagua, Honduras—two communities, separated by distance and circumstance, united by a shared commitment to serve. On Christmas Day 1990, Tom Ricke made a vow to God during a family crisis: if his wife Susan survived a life-threatening medical emergency, he would do anything asked of him.

Beyond The Plate: Ep. 23

Beyond The Plate: Ep. 24

Learn what happens when the people behind the camera recall their viewpoint of a life-changing journey. On this moving episode of Beyond the Plate, we turn the cameras around to meet Viviana Moreno and Jose Manuel, from the television program.

Beyond The Plate: Ep. 25

A cascade of small choices became a lifeline for families in Guatemala. James Ronaldo Meyer was raised in Wisconsin and he turned a childhood lesson about wasting water into a mission to build safe homes for families in Guatemala.

Beyond The Plate: Ep. 26

In this episode, host Andrew “Kappy” Kaplan sits down with CEO Ed Raine to take a candid look at the mission, challenges and impact of FFTP. They cover how the organization responds in times of crisis, the logistical realities of rebuilding and supporting communities

Beyond The Plate: Ep. 27

In this episode, Food For The Poor takes listeners inside the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in western Jamaica, where damage was uneven but devastating for families who lost homes, power, and livelihoods.

Since 1982, 6 Million Donors Have Made It Possible for Us to Provide:

4.4 Billion Meals

95,964 Safe & Secure Homes

103,260 Tractor-Trailers of Essential Aid

And So Much More!

Meal totals reflect food shipments from 2006–2024. Shipments from 2006–2015 were converted from pounds to meals (4 meals per pound) and combined with reported meal totals from 2016–2024. Home construction totals and tractor-trailer shipments represent cumulative impact from 1982–2024