FFTP CEO Visits Local Charity to Present Donations in Support of Annual Thanksgiving Meal Distributions
COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Nov. 17, 2025) – An annual tradition of Food For The Poor (FFTP) supporting two South Florida charities in their Thanksgiving meal distributions to families in need once again took place in the field on Monday, when FFTP President/CEO Ed Raine made the drive to West Palm Beach, Fla., to present the donations in person.
Raine visited the Liberty Movement Ministry Food Pantry in West Palm Beach to present a $7,500 donation for its annual Thanksgiving meal distribution. Essie “Big Mama” Reed, of Team of Life, Inc. of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., traveled to West Palm Beach where she also received a $7,500 donation to her charity.
The annual donation is a cherished FFTP tradition that typically happens in the charity’s Coconut Creek, Fla. headquarters, but two years ago Raine decided to visit each recipient’s location to see their impact firsthand.
“Two years ago, I made a commitment to these folks that I would come to their sites to see their faith in action,” Raine said. “Last year, we were with Big Mama, and this year we are here with Liberty Movement. Nothing happens in my office – it all happens outside with the people – and today we are going to be witnessing a distribution of food to a lot of people, so it’s great to be with everybody.”
Liberty Movement Ministry supports unhoused people, the elderly, and struggling families in West Palm Beach and neighboring communities in Palm Beach County, not only at Thanksgiving, but all year long. This year’s visit occurred on the day the food pantry does its weekly distribution to families in need, many of whom were already lining up to receive their food package.
“We are so grateful to Food For The Poor for partnering with us and giving us this opportunity to give so much back to our community,” said Pastor Shae Ash, Senior Pastor of Noel Emmanuel Outreach Ministry and Director of Operations at the Liberty Movement Ministry Food Pantry. “So, we thank you for your support.”
For several years, Liberty Movement Ministry was represented by Pastor Norman “D.C.” Perkins, who was instrumental in the food distribution. Pastor Perkins, who passed away in July 2020, was such an integral part of the Thanksgiving food distribution that organizers decided to keep his memory alive by naming it in his honor. His wife, Dionne Marshall, attended the presentation, in gratitude for the support he received over the years, and to keep his legacy alive.
“This was his passion for many years – he loved feeding people,” she said. “And I’m just thankful to Food For The Poor for acknowledging him and putting his name out there for doing what he loved.”
FFTP’s support has also been a tremendous help to Team of Life, Big Mama said. With the help of FFTP, she will distribute turkey, ham, and a variety of side dishes, just in time for Thanksgiving.
Big Mama, who was accompanied by her family, also offered her thanks for the donation. In recent years, she has experienced her own set of difficulties, from health challenges to needing to make repairs to her Team of Life headquarters in Fort Lauderdale. Despite those difficulties, she continues to extend herself to help her community.
“Having Food For The Poor to help me keep everything going means so much – that’s real power, that’s real energy, and God is working through them,” she said. “It’s important to have people who love God, and who genuinely care about others. Food For The Poor is working with true love behind it.”
The Norman “D.C.” Perkins 2025 Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway will be Monday, Nov. 24, from noon to 6 p.m. at the Liberty Movement Ministry Food Bank, 1301 53rd St., Mangonia Park, Fla., 33407. Team of Life will begin distributing meals on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 3:30 p.m., at 2136 NW Eighth St., Fort Lauderdale, Fla., 33311.
About Food For The Poor
Food For The Poor, one of the largest international relief and development organizations in the United States, is committed to facilitating paths out of poverty and transforming lives. As an interdenominational Christian ministry, we help families across Latin America and the Caribbean. Our efforts span urgent humanitarian relief and long-term development – from emergency aid and hunger alleviation to education, housing, and economic empowerment. We follow a distinctive approach that integrates faith, multi-sector strategies, and trusted partnerships. Whenever possible, we strive to work at the community level, partnering with local leaders and residents to co-create sustainable solutions that address the multi-dimensional nature of poverty. For more information, please visit foodforthepoor.org.
Ernestine Williams
Communications
305-321-7342
[email protected]
