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Field Impact ReportFood Is Life - May Pen MarketMay Pen Market, Jamaica

Project Update Project Goal

Please see Projected Impact  

As of August 2023, this project is now fully completed as all three batches of food distributions were successfully delivered to Safe Haven. Thanks to the committed generosity of our donors, administrators from Safe Haven and some churches who assisted with the distribution of the food supplies have expressed that the support was greatly needed and appreciated.  

The initial project timeline was achieved and reported on during the last update in March 2023. However, based on the information outlined in the remaining component section, depending on next steps a budget revision as well as a new timeline will be needed. 

ShareFile link to photos and videos for this update: https://foodforthepoor.sharefile.com/home/shared/fo5bf165-c649-45bd-862e-225ad083d757

Distributions under this project have concluded and were executed through various mediums such as walk-in visits to the distribution site in the May Pen Bus Park and group/community distributions via church groups. Below are brief feedbacks and words of gratitude from Ms. Delma Pryce, President of Safe Haven (2020) Ministries Limited. 

Ms. Pryce reminisced on the most recent food distribution citing “The month of March 2023 was a month of great achievement and growth. We are extremely ecstatic to announce that we have provided directly or indirectly food packages to 1,049 families.” Volunteerism is an important civic contribution and form of philanthropy and for organizations like Safe Haven, it is well-needed. In this regard, Ms. Pryce mentioned “We are still hoping to attract young local people into the art of volunteerism. We trust that as the summer break approaches, we will be able to become an attractive option for young people.”

In terms of forging new partnerships and strengthening existing ones, Ms. Pryce reported In addition to the 13 Ministries/Churches we now have additional 14 Churches/Ministries - making a total of 27 affiliates as follows: 

As a result of developing new partnerships, Ms. Pryce noted "During this month we have been able to reach St Anns, St Elizabeth, and Montego Bay with packages through our extended out-reach community program.” While the organization grows, Ms. Pryce briefly spoke of future plans “We are looking forward to serving Portland, St Mary, St Thomas, Hanover, Westmoreland, Trelawny as our affiliations continue to grow across the island. We would then have accomplished our short-term goal of having Safe Haven Affiliates across the island. Our 5-year plan is to establish Safe Haven 2020 Holistic Hubs across the island based on the model we are currently developing. We also recognize that Jamaica is prone to national disasters from time to time, as well as any further occurrences of more pandemics. We trust that collectively from Parish to Parish we will form a strategic center for emergency social intervention."

Tesimonial

Growing involves change and change is inevitable. As the world evolves and becomes more technologically advanced it is increasingly important for organizations like Safe Haven to maintain a social media presence which is vital to providing awareness, and exposure, potential donations, and participation/volunteerism, etc for the entity. In relation to this, Ms. Pryce said "We are now in the process of setting up a social media presence. Since incorporation that had been our desire, but we had no funds to engage a social media partner. We now have a social media volunteer who is setting us up and hopefully will maintain our platforms until such time he may be paid."

The short words of appreciation expressed below demonstrate the depth of impact these donations have made towards families/individuals who have benefitted:

1. "I give God thanks and praise. I'm a sick man who is at the doctor most of the time and I am on medication. The food supply will go far way."

2. "I live with my mom and other extended family members. My mother received a care package from Safe Haven. We got rice, flour, cornmeal, oil, sausage, mackerel, and other food items. We were able to prepare delicious meals from the food items we received from Safe Haven. Each day ended great for me at school because I went energized and blessed to have a meal before going to school."

Thanks to the generous support, Safe Haven (2020) Ministries was able to extend the gift thy received to other beneficiary organizations:

Organization 1

"The Denbigh Division and the Central Clarendon Constituency would like to express our genuine thanks and appreciation to you and your team for your continued support to our community. As your continued support has truly made enormous impact and is a key reason why we are able to help so many people. The donation was used to ensure that the needy and destitute of the community were well taken care of and not felt left out. As we look forward to future assistance, we have ensured that your contributions are being invested carefully into the community."

Organization 2

"The abovementioned church family uses this medium to express gratitude to you and your organization for the donation of food items. This welcoming gesture has touched the lives of not just church members but our extended families in the communities and their environs. Our recipients included single mothers, indigents, the mentally challenged, elderly and shut ins. The outpouring of appreciation was overwhelming."

Organization 3

"When I received the packages from Safe Haven, Matthew 25:31-41 came to my thought as these packages were packed to touch the lives of the destitute, those who have lost hope of being provided with a substantial/nutritious meal and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. We distributed the packages and ministered scriptures based on Mathew 25 touching their lives in a remarkable way. On behalf of V.G.M.I, we thank you for touching the lives of the residents of Arnette Gardens, Jones Town, Ivy Green Mews, Waterhouse, Golden Spring, and other environments within the parish of St. Andrew. Many families often go to bed without a meal, many children go to school without breakfast there is no resource at home to fix a meal. Your packages consist of items to prepare a balance/nutritious meal; they only need the match to get the fire going. I charge you to continue to ignite the love of our Almighty God in the homes of his people."

Organization 4

"The ministry benefitted greatly from the goods and services offered by Safe Haven Ministry and Food For The Poor. We received some care packages which were distributed to individuals from various communities within the church district. Persons have thereafter expressed appreciation for such a timely gift. It is gestures like these that make those who are less fortunate be able to have a hot meal and are also able to care for their children."

Organization 5

"I want to take this opportunity to thank you for sharing with us the resources from your ministry. The food packages were greatly appreciated as it allows us to extend our hands to persons, we would not be able to help. We were able to minister to persons with different challenges from different communities: the disabled, single mothers, unemployed and even a few men tally challenged persons. It is with the greatest humility that we say thanks to all who have been instrumental in helping us to help others."

Organization 6

"I wish to express thanks and appreciation for your gift of love in the form of food items that was distributed to our church. We are so grateful and for that we just want you to know that it was well received by the community members. Community members are always enquiring when more food stuff will be available. Some said it came at the right time because they were so low with food stuff. Thanks for going the extra mil, we appreciate you for your kindness, your generosity so much. We have reached more persons than we usually distribute to. Again, we thank you so much for all that you have done."

Disclaimer: No photos were captured for these specific beneficiary organizations.

Distribution of the 1,500 food packages have concluded. However, the Project Development (P.D) team along with the Construction Services (C.S) department are exploring additional support that can be provided to Safe Haven, following a joint site assessment that was recently conducted where other areas of need emerged. The need for additional support is partly because funds are available for the institution following the building renovation and the three months' supply of food. Therefore, P.D and C.S are collaborating to carefully assess the needs and strategically determine the way forward. 

Depending on next steps a budget revision as well as a new timeline will be needed. 

Remaining Components

About Food For The Poor

Food For The Poor, one of the largest international relief and development organizations in the nation, does much more than feed millions of hungry children and families living in poverty primarily in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. This interdenominational Christian ministry provides emergency relief assistance, water, medicine, educational materials, homes, support for vulnerable children, care for the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance. For more information, please visit www.FoodForThePoor.org.

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