COCONUT CREEK, FL (April 21, 2008) – One of the best-kept secrets in the world of charitable organizations isn’t such a secret anymore; at least not since it passed the $1-billion mark last year.

Food For The Poor, a Florida-based international relief and development agency, is after more than
26-years, finally getting the attention it deserves –and rightfully so.  It’s hard to ignore impressive stats like these:

In 2007, Food For The Poor distributed more than $1.037 billion in support to some of the poorest of the poor in the Caribbean and Latin America while maintaining an expense ratio of just 3.22%. 

Last year, Food For The Poor constructed 6,345 housing units for the needy –and it has built more than 46,000 housing units since its inception in 1982. 

In 2007 alone, Food For The Poor delivered more than 29 million pounds of rice, over 9.1 million pounds of beans, more than 1.4 million pounds of canned foods, and nearly 15 million pounds of other life-sustaining foods to feed malnourished children and their families.

Food For The Poor, last year, shipped more than 496 tractor-trailer loads of vital medicines and medical supplies, 546 trailer loads of educational supplies, and more than 300 loads of emergency relief supplies 

And, in 2007, besides feeding millions daily, Food For The Poor constructed schools and clinics, drilled wells and built clean water and sanitation projects and supported nursing homes and orphanages.  Additionally, Food For The Poor gave hope to thousands of poor people through self-sustaining fishing villages and tilapia ponds, by planting fruit tree nurseries, and by providing livestock and training in animal husbandry and other agricultural programs. 

“We couldn’t have reached this milestone without the generous support of our donors,” said Robin Mahfood, Food For The Poor’s President and CEO.  “But we can’t rest and we can’t let up.  We have to keep working for the hungry, the homeless, the abandoned, and every one trapped in the vicious cycle of poverty.”

Food For The Poor has consistently earned an “Exceptional”, four out of four stars rating from Charity Navigator, the nation’s foremost independent charity evaluator –a rating that means that Food For The Poor exceeds industry standards and performs with exceptional efficiency. In fact, Charity Navigator, which reviews and rates more than 5,300 charities, says Food For The Poor is one of only 45 nonprofits that has earned a 4-star rating seven years in a row.  Ministry Watch gives Food For The Poor a 5 Star Financial Efficiency rating –the highest possible score.  Forbes Magazine, which puts out an annual list of America’s biggest charities, says the average efficiency rating in 2007 was 90% -and recommends “a cold, hard look at anyone with an efficiency below 70%”. And the Better Business Bureau says Food For The Poor meets the “extensive standards of America’s most experienced charity evaluator.” 

Food For The Poor is the second largest international relief and development organization in the nation.  With more than 96% of all donations going directly to programs that help those in need, Food For The Poor provides nourishing food, safe shelter, necessary medical care, educational materials, support for orphans and the aged, and much more to the poorest of the poor in 16 countries in the Caribbean and Latin America.

For more information, log on to www.FoodForThePoor.org.