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Monday, February 8, 2010:  Following the occurrence of a 7.0 magnitude earthquake that devastated Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince on Tuesday, January 12 which caused widespread death and destruction, Food for the Poor Jamaica (FFP) has been at the forefront of coordinating collection of funds and  well needed items to provide relief and recovery for those affected.

A number of groups have partnered with FFP and have handed over significant funds to the charity organization, proceeds of their own efforts to help with the relief effort in the Haiti.

One significant partnership that has been forged is  that with the RJR Communications Group,  whereby the funds raised from members of the public via the media group’s public appeal have been handed over to FFP to provide relief aid to earthquake ravaged Haiti.  To date, RJR has handed over J$15M and US$1,000.

“We take great pride in how our fellow Jamaicans have responded to this tragedy in Haiti. It shows that together we can make a difference by being generous with our time and resources,” stated Gary Allen, Managing Director, RJR Communications Group in handing over the first disbursement.  “On behalf of the people and companies that have given cash, we consider the best candidate for our first disbursement of cash to be Food For the Poor,” he continued.

The members of staff of the Jamaica Energy Partners (JEP) were also moved to initiate a collection drive at their offices in light of the tragedy.  The funds collected by the members of staff were matched by the company and a total of J$1.7m was handed over to FFP. In handing over the cheque to FFP, Odeth Reynolds, HR & IR Manager said “It was very moving to see the spontaneous outpouring from our staff members. Some persons have even committed to providing a monthly amount over the course of the next year.  We know of the work of Food For The Poor in Haiti and so we wanted to work with them to ensure that the help gets to those who are most in need.”

Thousands of homes were completely destroyed as a result of the earthquake so much of FFP’s assistance will be directed towards rebuilding homes for those who were affected.  “Our focus is on rebuilding, in terms of providing temporary shelter in the short term and more permanent shelter in the long term” stated Ryan Peralto, CEO of FFP, as he accepted the contributions.

Not to be outdone were the children, who also initiated collections from fellow students in order to make a contribution to the Haiti relief efforts. Students of Immaculate Conception High School (ICHS) and St. Georges College (STGC) came together in a show of care and support to gather funds for the victims of the earthquake.  The students of both schools collected almost $300,000 and handed over the funds to FFP. In a special assembly held on Wednesday January 27, at Immaculate Conception High School, representatives of the prefect body of both schools in the presence of hundreds of Immaculate students proudly presented a cheque to Ryan Peralto.

Similarly, students of Old Harbour Bay Primary School, organized a “Jeans Day” at their school and collected $20,000 which was also handed over to FFP on February 5^th.  Principal of the school, Milton Wade, in handing over the cheque said “We had to make a contribution as there are currently four Haitian students at our school.  More significantly, we wanted to make the contribution to the Food For The Poor fund as we have benefited so much from Food For The Poor’s work in our school community.”

The support for Food For The Poor’s efforts has been wide ranging and includes persons from all over Jamaica. On Saturday, February 8, the Treasure Beach Women’s Group, St. Elizabeth, handed over a cheque of over   J$206,000 to FFP, proceeds from a community collection drive which they spearheaded.  The women were particularly moved by the suffering of fellow women and of children in Haiti and rallied their community to contribute to the relief efforts by conducting a “Walk for Haiti.” The group was established in September 2000 to promote the advancement of women and the community of Treasure Beach in general, through education, income producing projects and awareness of women's health and women's issues. In handing over the cheque, President of the group, Estella Ebanks remarked, “Food for the Poor has always been an integral part of this women's group and the community of Treasure Beach in general.  FFP gave us our first building when our group was established in 2000. FFP was also the first aid organization on the scene in the community following hurricane Ivan, providing homes and various relief supplies to the victims.  It was therefore easy and only fitting for us to select Food for the Poor as the charity to give the funds to following the ‘Walk for Haiti’.   Food for the Poor was selected because we have proven that they are a charity of integrity and an organization that will do what they say they will do."

In expressing appreciation for the contributions from the various groups and also individuals who have contributed to the special account opened by FFP for the relief funds, Ryan Peralto, CEO of Food For The Poor Jamaica, said “Food For the Poor accepts the contribution from the people of Jamaica on behalf of the people of Haiti. FFP sees this contribution of funds as the Jamaican people's contribution, and takes the stewardship of these funds very seriously.”

It should be noted that FFP’s operating costs account for less than 4% of the value of the donations it receives.

“Food For The Poor has been in Haiti for over twenty four years, serving the poor and dispossessed.  We see this catastrophe as providing another opportunity for us to serve, and already, the office there has opened its doors and thousands of hot meals are being served per day,” stated Mr. Peralto.

“We are encouraged by the response of the public so far and continue to seek donations of cash to further our efforts in providing relief to the Haitians.  We need cash in particular to assist in purchasing materials for temporary shelters, plus the next stage, that of rebuilding homes in the badly ravaged capital city and implore all persons to make a contribution to our account at NCB, no matter the size of the donation,” he continued.

Members of the public may contribute to a special account opened at NCB by Food For The Poor.  The account number is 471043885 and contributions may be made at any NCB branch.

Items such as canned food, canned baby formula, and personal hygiene items are also needed and persons may make these contributions at the Stella Maris church.

Food For The Poor, the largest international relief and development organization in the United States, does much more than feed millions of hungry poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. This interdenominational Christian agency provides emergency relief assistance, clean water, medicines, educational materials, homes, support for orphans and the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance, with more than 96 percent of all donations going directly to programs that help the poor. For more information please visit, http://www.foodforthepoor.org.

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CONTACT: Janice Henlin

Tel: 984-5005; 907-3664  

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