At Food For The Poor, feeding the hungry is at the heart of our mission. We prioritize the preservation of human dignity and compassionate care for those in need. Our approach to poverty is rooted in sustainable, community-driven solutions that empower long-term change. From 2019 to 2023, we provided 943 million meals and delivered $3.2 billion in aid to communities across Latin America and the Caribbean. Our growing network of donors and volunteers shares our belief that poverty is not inevitable—it is solvable. Join us in the fight: spread the word, shop from our Humanitarian Gift Catalog, or become a donor today.
Food For The Poor empowers women by providing education, vocational training, and economic opportunities. Initiatives like the Empowering Women Through Sewing project, the Colinas Beekeeping Association (APICOL), and the La Montañona Women’s Macrotunnels Project help women and their families achieve sustainable livelihoods while fostering stronger communities. Watch our videos to gain insights into these transformative programs directly from the women participating in them.
Also, hear from Cedella Marley, daughter of the legendary Bob Marley, Christian singer and songwriter Blanca, and renowned Hispanic icon Angelica Vale as they discuss the power of uniting communities around sustainable development to create a lasting impact on poverty.
Support our Empowering Women Through Sewing project, an initiative dedicated to helping women from underserved communities in Guatemala and Honduras achieve sustainable incomes. Through this program, participants refine their craftsmanship at our training centers, learning to create high-quality handcrafted handbags and other unique products.
To further this mission, we’ve launched a pilot gift program featuring a selection of our handcrafted handbags. This initiative explores a model where everyday purchases—like a handbag—not only fulfill personal needs but also contribute to a meaningful cause.
A Mercado Global handbag isn’t just an accessory—it’s a meaningful gift that represents hope and resilience. When you shop on our website you're making the statement that poverty isn't inevitable.
Every purchase helps create a stable economic environment within impoverished communities, which can lead to food security and reduce dependency on aid. It’s an investment in breaking the cycle of poverty through fair trade practices that uplift entire communities.
Each handbag is a unique piece of art, handcrafted by skilled artisans who draw on traditional techniques passed down through generations. This supports cultural preservation while giving artisans a source of pride and financial independence.
Flora Petite Crossbody in Turf Moss
The Flora Petite Tote is a square silhouette trimmed with leather piping and paired with structured leather handles. The detachable leather strap means you can carry it comfortably over your shoulder or remove it to wear in hand for an on-trend look.
The Flora Petite Tote features a square silhouette trimmed with leather piping and paired with structured leather handles. The detachable leather strap means you can carry it comfortably over your shoulder or can be removed to wear in hand for an on-trend look.
Featuring a leather wristlet and zipper pull, our Mini Lily conveniently and stylishly stores your essentials. Keep in your handbag as an organizer and remove for a chic night look!
Handbags are ethically crafted, prioritizing fair labor practices and sustainable production. With each purchase, you’re helping prove that we can tackle poverty through sustainable community development.
Buying a Mercado Global handbag provides sustainable income for artisans in marginalized communities, directly helping them support their families. By working part-time, artisans can make up to $8 a day, which is enough to lift themselves out of poverty over the course of a few months of engagement.
By shopping with us, you’re supporting a test initiative designed to demonstrate that we can build a sustainable, closed-loop system between our micro-enterprise programs and an online marketplace. If the test is sucessful we'll be able to scale up our programs.
COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (June 10, 2026) — Food For The Poor (FFTP) is reaffirming its deep and ongoing commitment to Haiti, highlighting continued operations and expanded […]
COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (June 9, 2026) — Food For The Poor (FFTP) has appointed Sara Sywulka as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, bringing more […]
As Hurricane Melissa tore through Jamaica last fall, families faced devastating loss. Their homes were damaged, livelihoods disrupted, and communities were left struggling to recover. In this blog, we’ll look back at the beauty of this idyllic island and then you’ll learn about Food For The Poor’s immediate response in […]
In this month’s blog, you will step inside several community clinics that are turning fear into relief for parents, providing safe care for children, and offering dignity to patients who once had nowhere to go when they were sick. You will see how improved facilities, compassionate medical staff, and the […]
EXPANDING OUR REACH WITHIN THE LATIN AMERICAN & CARIBBEAN COMMUNITIES
We’re excited to announce the launch of our new Spanish website! Now, more people can connect with Food For The Poor and support our mission to provide food, hope, and relief to those in need.
