FERDINANDMAHFOODAND THEINSPIREDFOUNDINGOF FOODFORTHEPOOR

Ferdinand “Ferdy” Mahfood’s religious conversion in 1976 was the inspiration behind the founding of Food For The Poor, planting the seeds of love and devotion 41 years ago thatwillknownoend.

With the love and support of his family, Mr. Mahfood established Food For The Poor in Florida on February 12, 1982. The organization initially sent resources to Jamaica, where he had observed the plight of people suffering from poverty, disease and the impact of naturaldisasters.

Inhisownwords,Mr.Mahfoodonceexplained what was the catalyst for the birth of the charity.

“This is not about any one of us,” said Mr. Mahfood, a devout Catholic. “This is about God. And Food For The Poor is an answer to God.”

Mr. Mahfood, 85, died peacefully on February 26,surroundedbyhisfamilyinprayer.

As the charity expanded, Ferdy and his wife, Patty, traveled throughout the Caribbean, bringing resources to countless people in need. FFTP officially launched its operation in Jamaica in June 1983 and created a model that would be replicated in other parts of the CaribbeanandLatinAmerica.

In a Jamaica Gleaner interview in 2012, Mr. Mahfood said there was no way he could have foretoldFoodForThePoor’ssuccess.

"Ineverdreamtitwouldhavebecomewhatitis today,” he said. “Not in my wildest imagination wouldIhavebelievedthatitwouldcometothis ...culminatingintoday.”

In the article, Mr. Mahfood quickly cleared up anymisconceptionthatitwasallabouthim.

"The organization was started by four brothers Sam,Joe,Robin,andmyself,"hesaid."Soit'snot just Ferdinand Mahfood's efforts, it's the efforts of the four brothers and all their children, and thatiswhathasbuiltit,andkeptittogether."