Food For The Poor Inc. was founded in 1982 to link the church of the First World with the church of the Third World in a manner that helps both the materially poor and the poor in spirit. The organization is unique in that it tailors its aid efforts to fit the specific needs of each program it enters, custom-fitting operations with what is actually needed in the field.

Sixteen Caribbean and Latin American countries rely on Food For The Poor Inc. not only for food, but also for emergency relief, education, housing, healthcare, job and skills training, and microenterprise and community development assistance. The following is a sample of some of our programs. Our Build A Miracle housing program constructs a simple home for a family in need from start-to-finish. The Banana Bark card program helps give mothers dignity, enabling them to provide for their children through honest work. Our Gift Catalog provides life-saving gifts to those who have absolutely nothing. Our Angels of Hope program sponsors more than 3,000 children in over 79 orphanages throughout the Caribbean and Latin America.

In addition to operating its own bases in Jamaica and Haiti, Food For The Poor works with thousands of churches, foundations, religious orders and church-based ministries already ministering to the destitute.

Since inception in 1982, Food For The Poor has provided more than $3.0 billion in aid. In 2005, aid totals reached more than $734 million. Food For The Poor's administrative ratio in 2005 was 4 percent, meaning 96 percent of aid goes directly to helping the poor.

Since its founding in 1982, Food For The Poor (FFP), a Christian international aid organization, distributed more than $3.0 billion in food, medical, educational, building and small business supplies to 16 countries in the Caribbean and Central America. The organization maintains an average administrative overhead of 4 percent -- ensuring the poor receive 96 percent of all donations.

Food For The Poor follows the principle that education and self-help must fortify charity work so recipients learn to break the cycle of poverty. FFP supports programs to teach recipients how to raise livestock, develop small businesses and provides agricultural assistance to independent farmers.

Food For The Poor was founded in 1982 by Ferdinand Mahfood. His vision was instrumental in guiding Food For The Poor as it became the most significant relief organization in the Caribbean and Central America. Robin Mahfood, who has extensive experience in business management and an in-depth knowledge of the Caribbean, assumed the Presidency in 2000 and provides the leadership for Food For The Poor during this time of explosive growth.

Created to help destitute people in Central America and the Caribbean, Food For The Poor has forged a spirit of cooperation between churches of the First World and churches of the Third World. Established as a 501(c)(3) charity, FFP collects funds from North American and European benefactors, purchases goods cost-effectively on the world market, ships the items duty-free and arranges for their distribution to the poor through churches, missionaries and charity organizations in 16 countries.