As it looks toward the future, Food for the Poor Jamaica used July 9 to reflect on 40 years as an impactful local charity organisation at a joyous service at the Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church in St Andrew.

Led by board chairman Andrew Mahfood, Father Richard Brown as well as other board directors and team members.

In his address, Mahfood spoke to the legacy of the organization and the tenacity, compassion and vigour of founder, the late Ferdinand Mahfood and the focus on reaching out to the poorest and most in need that continues to guide the operations of Food For the Poor to the present day.

FFP Jamaica launched in 1982 as the Catholic Relief Service, located at Emerald Road in Kingston, but was later incorporated with Ferdinand Mahfood at the helm in June 1983.

Starting out in a “small corner” of the Wisynco warehouse in White Marl, St Catherine, Food for the Poor moved its operations to Third and Law streets in Kingston, before landing on its current Spanish Town headquarters in 1995.

Andrew Mahfood also spoke of Food for the Poor’s evolution to an organisation with a stronger emphasis on income generation and sustainability even as it continues to minister to the less fortunate.

In thanking the organisation’s many donors, directors, team members and partners, he pledged to continue Food For the Poor’s advance in assisting Jamaicans in all possible ways.