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Food For The Poor

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    • Coconut Creek nonprofit stepping up to send aid to Haiti-nbcmiami.com

      Coconut Creek nonprofit stepping up to send aid to Haiti-nbcmiami.com

      MIAMI, FLA. (Mar. 13, 2024) “In response to the escalating violence in Haiti, organizations in South Florida are working to provide aid to families in need. Food for the Poor in Coconut Creek has everything from food and water to medical equipment, ready to go the politically unstable country, but organizers say they are running […]

    • South Florida mobilizes aid amidst escalating violence in Haiti- caribbeannationalweekly.com

      South Florida mobilizes aid amidst escalating violence in Haiti- caribbeannationalweekly.com

      DAVIE, FLA. (Mar. 14, 2024) “As violence continues to grip Haiti, organizations based in South Florida are mobilizing efforts to provide much-needed assistance to affected families. Among them, Coconut Creek’s Food for the Poor stands ready with essential supplies ranging from food and water to medical equipment.” To read the full article, click here.

    • OA raises $1,500 for Honduras Project-news.yahoo.com

      OA raises $1,500 for Honduras Project-news.yahoo.com

      GREENSBURG, IND. (Feb. 19, 2024) “Oldenburg Academy has announced the success of its recent fundraising efforts during Catholic Schools Week. The OA community collected funds to contribute to the construction of 52 single-dwelling homes in the village of Cucuyagua, Honduras… “It is always delightful to witness the spirit of giving within our OA community as we endeavor […]

    • Starr Computers partners with NGOs to enhance education in Berbice-guyanachronicle.com

      Starr Computers partners with NGOs to enhance education in Berbice-guyanachronicle.com

      GUYANA (Feb. 19, 2024) “IN a bid to fortify educational resources in the Berbice community, Starr Computers has made a significant stride by donating Smart Labs to two pivotal institutions:- the Guyana Police Force Academy Berbice Campus and the New Amsterdam Technical Institute. This philanthropic endeavour, in collaboration with Food for the Poor Guyana Inc. […]

    • Food For The Poor, Starr Computers and St Francis Collaborate to Donate IT Labs to Region Six-stabroeknews.com

      Food For The Poor, Starr Computers and St Francis Collaborate to Donate IT Labs to Region Six-stabroeknews.com

      GUYANA (Feb. 19, 2024) “Food For The Poor (Guyana) Inc (FFTP) in partnership with Starr Computers and St Francis Community Developers donated two new upgraded Information Technology Labs to Region Six. According to a press release, the labs, located at the New Amsterdam Technical Institute and the Guyana Police Force Training Academy, represent a significant […]

    • Obituary: Father Gary Norman-dcourier.com

      Obituary: Father Gary Norman-dcourier.com

      PRESCOTT, AZ (Feb. 7, 2024) “Father Gary Norman, a senior priest of the Diocese of Yakima, who was being treated at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center following an auto accident and subsequent stroke Jan. 22, died on Jan. 31, 2024, at the medical center. …Father Norman was 79 and had been living in Prescott, […]

    • An agreement signed between Taiwan and Food For the Poor Haiti for the donation of 8240 tons of rice-tripfoumi.com

      An agreement signed between Taiwan and Food For the Poor Haiti for the donation of 8240 tons of rice-tripfoumi.com

      HAITI (Jan. 27, 2024) “A memorandum of understanding was signed on Friday, January 26, 2024, between Taiwan and Food For The Poor Haiti for the donation of 8,240 tons of rice. Several personalities, including the Taiwanese ambassador, Wen-Jiann KU, the Executive Director of Food for the Poor Haiti, Mario Nicoleau, took part in the signing […]

    • Neida Sandoval celebrates links with Cepudo and Food For The Poor in San Pedro Sula-elpais.hn

      Neida Sandoval celebrates links with Cepudo and Food For The Poor in San Pedro Sula-elpais.hn

      HONDURAS (Feb. 2, 2024) “The renowned Honduran journalist, Neida Sandoval, during her visit to the industrial capital of Honduras, San Pedro Sula, celebrated, together with authorities from the Municipality of Sampedrana, her connection with the Cepudo and Food For The Poor organizations.” To read the full article, click here.

    • Haiti’s Crisis: International Aid and Security Discussions Amid Human Rights and Political Unrest-bnnbreaking.com

      Haiti’s Crisis: International Aid and Security Discussions Amid Human Rights and Political Unrest-bnnbreaking.com

      HONG KONG (Jan. 27, 2024) Throughout 2023, the human rights landscape in Haiti has been profoundly marred. According to human rights defender, Gérald Guillaume, a shocking 155 rapes were recorded in the department of Grande Anse, with an overwhelming 139 involving minors. This distressing statistic is a stark reminder of the depth of the crisis […]

    • San Pedro Sula Mayor’s Office Awards Recognition to Journalist Neida Sandoval-tiempo.hn

      San Pedro Sula Mayor’s Office Awards Recognition to Journalist Neida Sandoval-tiempo.hn

      HONDURAS (Feb. 2, 2024) “Neida told Diario Tiempo that she was very happy with the reception she received from the San Pedro Sula mayor’s office. …in addition, she assured that she accepts the commitment to be an ambassador for Food For The Poor and CEPUDO.” To read more, click here.

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    • Creating Lasting Hope: How FFTP Helps Families Build Stable Lives at Home

      Creating Lasting Hope: How FFTP Helps Families Build Stable Lives at Home

      COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (June 11, 2025) – In rural Colombia, families once faced an impossible choice: comply with the demands of armed groups or risk their lives. Growing illicit crops wasn’t a way of life they chose freely – it was about survival. Today, that story is changing – one berry and one shrimp at […]

    • Food For The Poor Annual Report Highlights a Year of Milestones

      Food For The Poor Annual Report Highlights a Year of Milestones

      COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (June 3, 2025) – Food For The Poor (FFTP), one of the largest international relief and development organizations in the United States, provided more than $367 million in aid in 2024, delivering vital support to communities across Latin America and the Caribbean. The impact, made possible through the generous support of its […]

    • North Broward Prep Students Raise Funds to Build a School in Honduras

      North Broward Prep Students Raise Funds to Build a School in Honduras

      COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (June 2, 2025) – Fifth-grade students at North Broward Preparatory School turned the page on their reading assignment and opened a new chapter for children in Honduras by raising about $45,000 to build a school in partnership with Food For The Poor (FFTP). The initiative was sparked by the students’ reading of […]

    • Food For The Poor’s Hope Fest Invites Community to See Charity Up Close on Saturday

      Food For The Poor’s Hope Fest Invites Community to See Charity Up Close on Saturday

      COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (May 1, 2025) – Food For The Poor (FFTP) is welcoming the South Florida community from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday for Hope Fest, an event with building tours, children’s activities, food trucks, and mission-driven fun. The event will take place at the charity’s Coconut Creek headquarters, 6401 Lyons Road. Admission […]

    • Hurricane Preparedness Week: FFTP Prepositions Critical Relief Supplies Ahead of Hurricane Season

      Hurricane Preparedness Week: FFTP Prepositions Critical Relief Supplies Ahead of Hurricane Season

      COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (April 28, 2025) – When Hurricane Beryl hit Jamaica as a Category 4 storm last July – bringing a wave of deadly destruction barely a month into hurricane season – Food For The Poor (FFTP) and its partners were ready. Weeks before the season began, FFTP had hundreds of disaster preparedness kits […]

    • Hope Fest on May 3 Kicks Off Week of Compassion Ahead of Food For The Poor Day

      Hope Fest on May 3 Kicks Off Week of Compassion Ahead of Food For The Poor Day

      COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (April 22, 2025) – For many children in Honduras, the chance to run, learn, and dream without pain is out of reach. This year, Food For The Poor (FFTP) is taking bold steps to change that. With the theme “Health Fuels Dreams,” FFTP is launching a special campaign for Food For The […]

    • Food For The Poor Restores Dignity and Freedom Through Prison Ministry Program

      Food For The Poor Restores Dignity and Freedom Through Prison Ministry Program

      COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (April 17, 2025) – This Holy Week, 53 prisoners walked out of prison as living testaments to compassion, mercy, and the power of second chances, thanks to Food For The Poor’s (FFTP) Prison Ministry Program. With support from generous donors, the charity paid the fines of nonviolent offenders in Haiti and Guyana, […]

    • Honduras Bridge Dedicated in Honor of CEPUDO’s Linda Coello

      Honduras Bridge Dedicated in Honor of CEPUDO’s Linda Coello

      COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (April 2, 2025) – In a tribute to her decades of service to the people of Honduras, Linda Coello, Founder and President of CEPUDO and a member of Food For The Poor’s (FFTP) Board of Directors, was honored with the dedication of the Linda Coello Bridge on Friday in San Pedro Sula. […]

    • World Water Day: FFTP Donors Send Huge Wave of Support for Vulnerable Families

      World Water Day: FFTP Donors Send Huge Wave of Support for Vulnerable Families

      COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (March 27, 2025) – Maria, a 32-year-old community leader in a sustainable community development in El Tablón, Guatemala, is one of the fortunate ones. Her community has access to clean water and now, thanks to generous Food For The Poor (FFTP) donors, more vulnerable children and families in Latin America and the […]

    • World Water Day: Food For The Poor Brings Hope to Families Facing the Scarcity of Water

      World Water Day: Food For The Poor Brings Hope to Families Facing the Scarcity of Water

      COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (March 18, 2025) – For 24-year-old Ximora, living in La Hierbabuena, Guatemala, the simple act of getting water is an exhausting, daily battle. Every day, she embarks on a grueling 97-minute trek on foot with her father, navigating steep hillsides, dense brush, and barbed-wire fences just to collect enough water for her […]

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    • How Agriculture Unlocks Food Security for Families in Latin America and the Caribbean

      How Agriculture Unlocks Food Security for Families in Latin America and the Caribbean

      Boosting Food Security: Sustainable Agriculture in Latin America and the Caribbean Imagine waking up at dawn every day, working in a corn or bean field from sunup to sundown, and still not having enough to feed your children. This is the heartbreaking struggle for many families across Latin America and the Caribbean. They are hardworking […]

    • Be Prepared: 5 Principles That Drive Emergency Response Efforts

      Be Prepared: 5 Principles That Drive Emergency Response Efforts

      Emergencies can upend lives in an instant, especially for families already struggling with poverty. Natural disasters, conflict, and health and humanitarian crises can erase livelihoods, destroy homes, and push communities deeper into despair. When crisis strikes, emergency response can mean the difference between survival and devastation. Having the right plans and resources in place can […]

    • Health Care Access in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Lifeline for Families in Poverty

      Health Care Access in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Lifeline for Families in Poverty

      Why Health Care Access for Families in Poverty Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean Families living in poverty urgently need health care access in Latin America and the Caribbean. When individuals are struggling in poverty, gaining access to health care is nearly impossible. Parents face so many challenges to find basic medical treatment for […]

    • Water and Sanitation: A Lifeline for Health and Sustainability

      Water and Sanitation: A Lifeline for Health and Sustainability

      Clean water and proper sanitation are more than just essential resources. They are powerful forces for change, creating the foundation of public health, economic growth, and environmental sustainability. Yet, millions of people still lack access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation. This crisis only fuels the spread of diseases, hinders education, and deepens poverty. […]

    • Cultivating Hope: Empowering Women Through Training and Economic Opportunities in Latin America and the Caribbean

      Cultivating Hope: Empowering Women Through Training and Economic Opportunities in Latin America and the Caribbean

      How Food For The Poor Transforms Lives by Equipping Women With the Tools for Sustainable Success In the heart of Latin America and the Caribbean, the challenges of poverty often fall heaviest on women. Yet, when equipped with the right tools and opportunities, women can become powerful agents of change in their communities. Food For […]

    • 4 Essential Ways Capacity Building Drives Community Development

      4 Essential Ways Capacity Building Drives Community Development

      According to The United Nations, community development is defined as “a process where community members come together to take collective action and generate solutions to common problems.” It’s a means of bringing people together to identify challenges and create solutions that drive lasting change. [1] But true transformation doesn’t happen overnight. It is cultivated by empowering […]

    • Share Your Blessings: Provide Hope This December

      Share Your Blessings: Provide Hope This December

      Year-End Giving: Transform Lives, Spread Hope December is a time of reflection, gratitude, and giving. It’s a season that invites us to open our hearts and extend love to others. In this blog, you will: • Discover the power of year-end giving and the impact it has on children, families, and communities across Latin America […]

    • Three Ways Unity Through Giving Empowers Positive Change

      Three Ways Unity Through Giving Empowers Positive Change

      In a world filled with division, unity through giving emerges as a powerful force for positive change. When we share our time, talent, and resources, we forge connections that transform lives. Giving isn’t just about charity, it’s a catalyst for shared strength. It is generosity in action. The very act of giving is an act […]

    • Empowering Latin America and the Caribbean: Building Lasting Food Security

      Empowering Latin America and the Caribbean: Building Lasting Food Security

      Tackling Malnutrition in Latin America and the Caribbean Lack of access to nutritious food affects food securityOne of the biggest contributors to malnutrition in Latin America and the Caribbean is inadequate access to healthy foods. This lack of access leaves many without the necessary support or training to maintain a nutritious diet. “Food security is […]

    • Hispanic Heritage Month: FFTP Honors Team Members

      Hispanic Heritage Month: FFTP Honors Team Members

      This National Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15 – Oct. 15, Food For The Poor is excited to highlight our Hispanic team members who are dedicated to our mission of supporting those in need throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Childhood Experiences Set the Stage for Maria Fernanda Rios’ Work at Food For The Poor As […]

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5 Benefits of Charitable Giving

November 6, 2023November 12, 2024 FFTP Digital
Woman hands out gifts to children on a mission trip

Charitable Giving Is ‘A Pure Act of Kindness’

With our fast-paced lifestyles and constant distractions, charitable giving is a timeless reminder of our shared humanity.

At its core, charity is a beautiful expression of compassion and generosity. It is the embodiment of our collective desire to alleviate suffering, uplift communities, and create positive change.

Often synonymous with philanthropy, altruism, kindness, or goodwill, charity turns gratitude into action by providing assistance, resources, or support to individuals, organizations, or causes.

“Charity is about reaching out to others and not expecting anything in return,” explained Natalie Carlisle, Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer at Food For The Poor. “It’s a pure act of kindness.”

Charitable Giving Is the Cornerstone of Our Society

According to the United Nations, over half the world’s population, including 1 billion children, lives in poverty. Charitable organizations like Food For The Poor exist to help provide millions of people with a path out of poverty into a healthier, brighter future.

Giving back is how we turn gratitude into action that transforms lives for both givers AND receivers. Nonprofit organizations like Food For The Poor work hard every day to help make that happen.

And as it turns out, there’s a bonus – giving is really good for our health! 

Research shows that giving can enrich your life, unite your community, and connect you to people and ideas that will positively impact your perspective for the rest of your life.

In this post, we will look at five benefits of charitable giving and the impact selfless generosity can have on transformative change in our world today.

5 Benefits of Charitable Giving

1 – It Fosters a Sense of Purpose and Personal Fulfillment. Charitable giving allows us to contribute to causes we care about deeply, providing a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Knowing our actions positively impact the lives of others can bring a profound sense of satisfaction, boosting overall well-being and happiness.

Donors can attest to the benefits of giving. “One of the greatest gifts in life is being able to help others in need,” Food For The Poor donor John Bray said. “The joy that it brings is irreplaceable.”

John and his wife, Melinda, are business owners whose contributions have provided homes for four needy families. “It does make us feel good to be part of your charity, knowing that lives are being changed when these homes are built,” he said.

“I did want to include the team at work so they could share in the joy of being a helping hand to others in need,” John Bray said. “We have made it a company tradition to give to your organization over the past few years and we pray that God blesses us so we can continue to do so for many more.”

John and Melinda Bray group photo with employees
John and Melinda Bray with their employees who support FFTP

2 – It’s Good for Our Mental Health. Practicing gratitude regularly has been linked to improved mental health. When we act generously – through financial donations or giving a loved one the gift they really want for a holiday – it creates more interaction between the parts of the brain associated with processing social information and feeling pleasure.

“Giving is not only biblical,” Carlisle said. “Neuroscience has demonstrated it is a powerful pathway for creating more personal satisfaction and better overall health.”

That’s because when we help someone or give a gift, our brain produces more dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin which positively impact mood and disposition.  

An NIH study found that when people give to charities, the regions in the brain associated with pleasure, social connection, and trust are activated, releasing endorphins in the brain, a feeling known as “the helper’s high.”

Another study, conducted by Harvard Business Professor Michael Norton, went as far as to say that spending money on others brings us happiness.

However we choose to give, whether it’s our time, our talent, or our treasure, it’s abundantly clear that the benefits of charity extend far beyond the financial advantages.

3 – It Improves Physical Health. Being generous and grateful has positive effects on our physical health.

Research shows that when we give to others, we experience a boost in our happiness that has some interesting results, including a stronger immune system, increased resilience in the face of stress, a stronger heart, less risk of cardiovascular disease, and quicker recovery times when overcoming illness or surgery.

By expressing thankfulness and appreciating the positive aspects of life, we can lower blood pressure and reduce our stress and anxiety levels, all of which make us much healthier. Moreover, giving fosters a positive outlook on life and helps individuals cope with challenges more effectively.

4 – It Strengthens Social Bonds and Builds Unity. Acts of generosity and charitable giving not only create a sense of unity among people. They can create a culture of giving.

When people come together to support a common cause, social bonds are strengthened and a sense of community is created, which promotes empathy and compassion. Helping your community is an opportunity for you to grow as a person, to better understand how you fit into the world around you.

Carlisle, who has seen firsthand the impact of donor generosity, shared the story of a mother she met in Choloma, a community in Honduras supported by Food For The Poor. That woman turned her life around after attending skills training classes offered in her community. It was there she learned nail treatment and created her own business, generating income for her family.

Honduras community members hanging a sign in Spanish which translates to "A Dream Come True"

Today, this mother dedicates one day a week to go into other areas and teach other women how to do nails so they can have the opportunity she’s had to earn an income and take care of their children.  

“Charity is a lifeline for a lot of people because it connects them to people who have a common interest,” Carlisle said. “They share something.”

5 – It Inspires Positive Change. Charitable giving has a ripple effect of positive change. In other words, charity is contagious. When one person takes action, it can often motivate others to do the same.

Acts of kindness and charity, Carlisle said, “illustrate the beauty in others and love for our fellow man. The willingness of people to do something to help another person with no expectation of benefit to self is inspiring.” 

For the Brays, this meant starting a tradition at the shop of inviting staff to join them in giving. And while not everyone joined the effort, John said he and Melinda were very happy that “there were many others at the shop who shared in the joy of helping others in need.” 

FFTP Donors John and Melinda Bray pose for a photo
FFTP Donors John and Melinda Bray

As Carlisle noted: “When people see this and then participate in some small way, they feel the benefit and are often moved to do more to feel more.”

“I would not necessarily say giving is contagious,” Bray concluded, “but I would say that one of the greatest gifts in life is being able to help others in need.”

It’s Never Too Late to Start a Charitable Giving Plan

The world is full of people and causes that need our attention and there are a diverse number of ways charitable giving manifests itself, from grassroots efforts to large-scale philanthropy.

It’s never too late to begin your own legacy of charitable giving. Whether you are a seasoned philanthropist or just setting out on your charitable journey, there are countless ways your generosity can transform lives and help shape a better world.

“Choose something significant to you. And take that first step,” Carlisle recommended. “Don’t wait. Don’t overthink it. Don’t look for that perfect opportunity but do something now.”

Take Your First Step Today and Start Changing Lives

Once you take that first step, Carlisle said, “if you have a willing spirit, and you’re going for it, something is going to happen that will be good and memorable.”

Remember, the lives you change will include your own. Food For The Poor can help you take that first step to becoming a catalyst of change. Visit www.FoodForThePoor.org and choose your charitable journey today!


Posted in Extreme Poverty, Where We Work & What We Do
Tagged charity, children, giving, Honduras

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