Food for the Poor

This picture was taken at one of FFP’s Christmas treats, it is courtesy of FFP’s Facebook page.

Last month, the community of Jacques Road in Mountain View was interested in organizing a “treat”. This is a community in which most people pull in low incomes, so presents are not all that abundant. “Treats” are common here in Jamaica. They are put on for a community’s children, and often involve traditional food like jerk chicken, as well as cake and ice cream. Presents are also handed out.

After making some calls, we were able to solicit donations from both CB Chicken and Food for the Poor. This all happened very fast, despite the undesirable last minute request to these busy companies. The private sector and charity agencies, as you can imagine, are used heavily here in Jamaica, so often you must make several attempts before you are successful. However, this time, things seemed to align perfectly and we were able to secure rice, beans, chicken and other food that will be used for the “treat” in Mountain View.

I am writing about this because I am so impressed with both of these organizations. CB Chicken, despite a last-minute request, during the Christmas break, responded quickly and generously. (CB Chicken is a 75-year-old Jamaican company started by the Hendrickson family and its products include, of course, chicken, as well as other meats and staples.) As did Food for the Poor, which I will talk about a little more now.

FFP is a Florida-based international, Christian charity that works in 17 Latin American and Caribbean countries. From its web-site:

Our goal is to improve the health, economic, social and spiritual conditions of the men, women and children we serve through emergency relief aid and programmes in the areas of housing, food, medical, water, sanitation, education, agriculture, outreach and micro-enterprise.

FFP sends people on “missions” in different communities, whether they are to expose people to poverty or work on specific improvement projects, like building housing. Again from the web site:

The Mission is not only a spiritual journey that provides financial support for various Food For The Poor –supported projects; it also supports the economy in a significant way. This is done through hotel accommodation and purchases made in local craft as souvenir items, food seasoning and clothing. However, the Mission is not a vacation. It a transformational journey through which significant change takes place. The mind is renewed and a deeper appreciation for life is generated.

My experience with FFP began with a phone call, during which I learned I had just two days to meet a deadline to file a formal request, via a mailed letter. I did so, not expecting much. Several days later, I received several messages saying I needed to go to the FFP warehouse in St. Catherine to pick up the food. I quickly arranged a ride and we made the 30-minute drive over. The warehouse, and the complex itself, like most things in Jamaica, are behind barbed-wire fences. But the buildings are large, relatively modern and clean.

From the minute I entered the grounds, FFP staff were polite, efficient and helpful. Collecting the actual food was a slightly confusing process, replete with many layers of bureaucracy common in Jamaica, but within half-an-hour, we had gigantic, heavy bags and boxes of food in the trunk. The speed and efficiency and the actual kindness associated with this experience has me still pondering everything. It is so easy to get discouraged, especially in the charitable, non-profit sector, in which you are constantly asking for aid, and often being told ‘No’. This experience generated so much hope and gratitude.

Thank you Food for the Poor and CB Chicken. Photos and story of the “treat” to come.