Coconut Creek Proclaims May 7 as Food For The Poor Day
COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (April 12, 2024) – The Coconut Creek City Commission has officially recognized Food For The Poor’s (FFTP) significant contributions to the community by proclaiming May 7, 2024, as Food For The Poor Day.
The proclamation was made during the Coconut Creek City Commission’s regular meeting on Thursday evening and introduced by Mayor Sandra L. Welch.
FFTP President/CEO Ed Raine accepted the proclamation on behalf of the charity, acknowledging the longstanding history and impactful work that FFTP has carried out in the City of Coconut Creek. Raine was joined by EVP & Chief Operating Officer Mark Khouri and EVP & Chief Administrative Officer Jeff Alexander.
“Food For The Poor is deeply honored to receive this proclamation from the Coconut Creek City Commission,” Raine said.
“This is a wonderful moment for us to remind everybody that we have been here for so long in Coconut Creek,” Raine added. “We are truly blessed to do this work. And we’re only able to do it because of the generosity of so many, literally hundreds of thousands of people who rally around us to do this vital work.”
On several occasions, Coconut Creek firefighters have participated in packing events and city officials have attended special services hosted by the charity such as its Honoring Our Veterans Community Day held each November and the National Day of Prayer in May.
Reading from the proclamation, Mayor Welch said, “The city expresses appreciation for the organization’s charitable work to serve hundreds of thousands of families in need.”
Since Jan. 15, 2007, FFTP has been carrying out its mission at its 120,000-square-foot warehouse and headquarters at 6401 Lyons Road in Coconut Creek, with space for more than 300 employees. Volunteers come each week to help the charity sort goods and donations, pack kits, provide office and clerical support, and prepare for events.
Prior to moving to Coconut Creek, the charity had operated in three separate buildings in Deerfield Beach, Fla.
Founded in 1982, the charity has built more than 95,000 homes, sent more than 101,000 containers filled with essential goods to countries where it helps, and delivered more than $18.2 billion in aid.
FFTP is hosting Food For The Poor Day on Tuesday, May 7, and the community is invited to join the charity for a day and evening of faith, fellowship, and celebration of its mission.
The day begins with a prayer service open to all from 9 to 9:30 a.m. in the Prayer Room of FFTP’s Coconut Creek headquarters, followed by guided tours of the building and warehouse at 10 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m.
Throughout the day, guests also will have the opportunity to pack disaster hygiene kits for Haiti, showcasing FFTP’s commitment to humanitarian aid and disaster relief efforts.
The highlight of Food For The Poor Day will be the release of Jamaican recording artist Glacia Robinson’s latest album, “Hands of Mercy,” with 50 percent of the proceeds supporting FFTP programs.
A reception will precede the album release at 6 p.m., followed by a special performance by Robinson, joined by the Cason Kids Chorus from Cason United Methodist Church in Delray Beach, Fla., and FFTP’s CRUSE Tones band, at 7 p.m.
In conjunction with Food For The Poor Day, the charity will launch a food-match campaign to raise awareness about the critical issues of food insecurity.
Every $1 donated on Food For The Poor Day, May 7, 2024, will be matched to provide $3 worth of food up to $500,000. To RSVP for any of the activities, visit foodforthepoor.org/fftpday.
Food For The Poor, one of the largest international relief and development organizations in the nation, does much more than feed millions of hungry children and families living in poverty primarily in 17 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. This interdenominational Christian ministry provides emergency relief assistance, water, medicine, educational materials, homes, support for vulnerable children, care for the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance. For more information, please visit foodforthepoor.org.
Michael Turnbell
Communications
954-471-0928
[email protected]