Food For The Poor Recognized as 4th Largest International Charity

Food for the Poor
Monday, 5 November 2001

Food For The Poor, the international relief organization that assists the poorest of the poor in the Caribbean and Central America, has been ranked as the 4th largest international charity in the United States, up from the 6th position last year, by the Chronicle of Philanthropy. Among all charities, Food For The Poor has become the 48th largest in the United States, an increase over the ranking of number 63 in 2000. The Philanthropy 400 List ranks 400 of the nation's largest nonprofit organizations according to the amount of money they raise from private sources. During the fiscal year 2000, Food For The Poor realized $187 million in private donations, out of total contributions of $236 million.

Food For The Poor has significantly expanded its efforts in all aspects of its assistance programs to the poor. Feeding programs have been greatly enhanced by an award from the USDA of $25 million in food commodities to the victims of natural disasters in Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana and Jamaica. The Start in Life Program, which was launched in 1999 and provides much needed long term development for communities and destitute families in the areas of housing, education, skills training and micro-enterprise, has been greatly expanded. Robin Mahfood, President of Food For The Poor, made the following statement, "Food For The Poor has always met the urgent needs of the poor, and the tremendous support of our donors has enabled us to expand into development programs that give the tools and skills necessary to assist people in becoming self-sufficient."

Food For The Poor is a Christian relief and development organization that has a highly efficient strategy for aiding the destitute, and remains the #1 relief agency in the Caribbean and Central America. In the last 19 years, with the support of our committed donors, FFP has shipped over $903 million in aid to the region. Food For The Poor generates a substantial portion of the aid it delivers from the private sector and maintains a low overhead ratio of under 10%.

For more information, or to contact Food for the Poor, see their website at: www.foodforthepoor.org