World Water Day: FFTP Matching Campaign Aims to Give Women and Families Greater Access to Water

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (March 19, 2026) – For mothers like Griselda, who lives with her family in the coastal community of Villa La Concordia in El Salvador, a Food For The Poor (FFTP) project that provides access to clean water has meant the difference between daily struggle and renewed hope.

“I feel such a great relief,” Griselda said. “I feel freed from that burden.”

In observance of World Water Day on Sunday, March 22, FFTP is launching its “H2O = 2x Impact” campaign. The charity is inviting supporters to invest in clean water solutions that will help families like Griselda’s thrive while advancing gender equity. Thanks to the generosity of a trusted donor, every gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $200,000, doubling the impact of each donor’s contribution.

Since 1993, World Water Day has served as a reminder of the urgent need for clean water and sustainable water management. Finding a safe water source is a daily challenge for those living in poverty.

According to the World Health Organization and UNICEF, around 21 percent (more than 135 million people, or 1 in 5) of the population in Latin America and the Caribbean still lacks safely managed drinking water services, underscoring the need to accelerate efforts to reach the most vulnerable. Despite regional progress, many families continue to rely on rainwater collection or travel long distances to obtain water that, in some instances, may be contaminated.

“Our message in this campaign is that when you invest in clean water by making a donation, you’re making a powerful commitment to protect life, advance health and progress, and help communities thrive,” said FFTP President/CEO Ed Raine. “We’re especially grateful this year to be able to match every dollar donated up to $200,000 and invest those funds in meaningful projects that will empower women and girls in Latin America and the Caribbean to work toward a better life for themselves and their families.”

In many communities, women and girls bear the burden of walking long distances to collect water for their families. This can place their safety at risk, while also preventing girls from attending school and making it difficult for women to pursue income-generating work.

For years, the lack of reliable water had made daily life difficult for Griselda, her husband, and their two sons, ages 13 and 4. Her husband’s steady income was barely enough to cover basic necessities.

Her family obtained water by purchasing it from a local artisanal well or collecting rainwater. The well water was not clean or properly disinfected, so she had to boil it or attempt to purify it by leaving bottles in the sun. Getting water required Griselda to walk long distances in the heat and carry heavy containers home, sometimes using a small cart. On days when they could not afford to purchase water, they went without.

The situation changed for Griselda and her family when FFTP, together with its trusted partner FUSAL, worked with the local community to implement the Villa La Concordia water project. Today, families in the community have reliable access to clean water, and Griselda’s household is installing a flushable toilet, improving sanitation and overall living conditions.

“I feel such a relief because now I have water all month long,” she said. “I feel free of that burden. I (am) forever grateful.”

FFTP is committed to providing sustainable, long-term solutions to water scarcity by building wells, installing water filtration systems, and providing families with sanitation solutions that promote hygiene, dignity, and greater opportunities for women and girls.

FFTP works with trusted partners such as Water Mission to design customized water solutions using innovations in water quality and distribution, solar power, community development, and remote monitoring. Since 2008, FFTP and Water Mission have installed 2,208 water filtration units across Latin America and the Caribbean, including one installed in Peru in April 2025. In addition, FFTP completed 11 Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) projects in 2025, benefiting 49,466 people.

“When clean water is readily accessible, girls can attend school consistently, women can pursue productive work, and families can build healthier, more stable lives,” Raine said. “We are thankful to all who share in our mission and are willing to make an investment in helping us deliver clean water to families in need.”

This World Water Day, donors can help FFTP bring safe water to vulnerable families, and their donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar, doubling their impact up to $200,000. To give, visit www.foodforthepoor.org/worldwaterday.

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]