Food For The Poor: 30 Years of Aid, Efficiency and Hope

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (April 27, 2012) — Named by The Chronicle of Philanthropy as the nation’s largest international relief and development agency, Food For The Poor was able to offer aid to millions of people last year, as a result of support from its dedicated donors. For three decades, Food For The Poor has given hope to the hungry, the destitute, and the abandoned throughout the Caribbean and Latin America.

As the agency celebrates its 30th anniversary, Food For The Poor has set a goal in 2012 to build 12,000 homes, dig 1,200 water wells, and ship 1,200 containers of food to help those suffering within the 17 countries it serves.

According to Food For The Poor’s 2011 Annual Report:

  • Operating expenses were under 4 percent – ensuring that more than 96 percent of donations go directly toward programs that help the poor.
  • More than 24.9 million pounds of rice, 7.7 million pounds of beans, 10.3 million pounds of canned foods, and other life-sustaining foods were delivered to the hungry.
  • The charity built 6,294 housing units – bringing the total to more than 77,417 since 1982. In Haiti alone, Food For The Poor built 2,184 permanent two-room homes with sanitation units.
  • 588 trailers of medicines and medical supplies and 310 trailers of educational supplies were shipped.
  • 56 fishing village initiatives, tilapia ponds, fruit tree planting projects, animal husbandry and agricultural programs provided food and income, which helped to create self-sustaining communities.
  • Food For The Poor continued to provide clean water, build schools, training centers, and clinics, and to support nursing homes and orphanages.

Food For The Poor, named by The Chronicle of Philanthropy as the largest international relief and development organization in the nation, does much more than feed millions of the hungry poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. This interdenominational Christian ministry provides emergency relief assistance, clean water, medicines, educational materials, homes, support for orphans and the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance, with more than 96 percent of all donations going directly to programs that help the poor.

For more information, please visit www.FoodForThePoor.org.

Contact:
Wanda Wright
Food For The Poor
Public Relations
954-427-2222 x 6079
[email protected]



Why Support our new Pilot Inititaive

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.

Empowering Women Through Sewing Flora Handbag

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.

Price: $128

SHOP NOW

Flora Petite Clutch in Lavender Maple Empowering Women Through Sewing

Flora Petite Clutch in Lavender Maple

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.

price: $128

SHOP NOW

Empowering Women Through Sewing Pilot

Mini Lily Wristlet in Cream Soda

Featuring a leather wrist-let 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!

Price: $58

SHOP NOW

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.

Choose your gift amount

$500 $300 $150 $75

SPACER

Choose your gift amount