Food for the Hungry facts for kids
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| Founded | 1971 |
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| Founder | Larry Ward |
| Type | International relief and development organization |
| Purpose | Ending worldwide poverty |
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Area served
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26 countries |
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CEO
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Mark Viso |
Food for the Hungry (also called FH) is a Christian group that helps people around the world. They work to end poverty and assist during disasters. Larry Ward started FH in 1971. Their main goal is to help communities escape extreme poverty within 10 to 15 years. FH also helps people after disasters, like Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and Syrian refugees in Lebanon. The name "Food for the Hungry" comes from a Bible verse, Book of Psalms 146:7, which talks about giving food to those who are hungry. Food for the Hungry has been a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability since 1980.
Contents
How Food for the Hungry Started
Larry Ward founded Food for the Hungry in 1971. The first offices were in Southern California. In 1974, the offices moved to Arizona. Early projects helped refugees in Bangladesh after a war. They also helped victims of the 1972 Nicaragua earthquake. FH rescued Vietnamese "boat people" from the South China Sea. They also helped hungry people in Haiti and West Africa.
Helping Children Around the World
The program to sponsor children began in 1978. This program helps kids get what they need to grow and learn. In 1979, Hunger Corps started. This part of FH sends people to help others in need.
New Leaders for a Growing Mission
Larry Ward retired in 1984. Ted Yamamori became the new president. In 2001, Ted Yamamori retired. Randall Hoag became president of Food for the Hungry International. Benjamin K. Homan became president of Food for the Hungry/U.S.
Since 2006, FH has brought its U.S. and international work closer together. From 2014 to 2019, Gary Edmonds was the President and CEO. In early 2020, Mark Viso became the new CEO and President.
How Food for the Hungry Works
Food for the Hungry, Inc. (FH/US) started in the United States in 1971. Larry Ward also started Food for the Hungry International (FHI) in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1980. FHI is made up of different national organizations (NOs).
FH/US became a supporting NO for FHI. Other NOs joined from Japan (1981), Canada (1988), Sweden (1988), Switzerland (1988), Korea (1989), and the United Kingdom (1989). Another group, Korea-American Food for the Hungry International, joined in 2002.
In 2006, FH changed its structure. The NOs in Canada, Switzerland, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States became part of FH Association (FHA). This group was registered in Switzerland. Japan and Korea formed Food for the Hungry International Federation (FHF). They are connected to the larger FH "family" but work separately.
FH is like an umbrella for all FHA NOs. They do relief and development work in Asia, Africa, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. The NOs help by raising money. They also provide people and help plan programs. A single Board of Directors guides FH.
Helping People Globally
Helping Communities in Bangladesh
In 1972, FH started helping in Bangladesh. They gave rice to people who needed it. Since then, FH has focused on community development. This includes helping people earn a living, offering small loans, and improving health and education. They also help communities prepare for disasters.
Since 2017, over 900,000 Rohingya people fled violence in Myanmar to Bangladesh. FH/Bangladesh worked with Medical Teams International (MTI) to provide health care. This partnership helps Rohingya refugees, especially mothers and children. They get support for their mental health and medical care.
Supporting Families in Bolivia
FH began working in Bolivia in 1978. They provided aid in the high plains of the Andes Mountains. This helped people affected by El Niño. Since then, FH has focused on community development. This includes livelihoods, health, and education. Bolivia often faces natural disasters, so FH also helps with emergency relief.
Currently, FH Bolivia is working on 30 projects. These projects are supported by local governments. In 2018, over $1.2 million was invested in the Poroma area. This money helped with water projects, fixing classrooms, and setting up irrigation systems. In the Cochabamba region, FH is working on 19 projects. These projects, with over $2.2 million in investment, improve access to water and irrigation.
Improving Lives in Cambodia
In 1990, FH started helping in Cambodia. They provided aid to people in refugee camps during the civil war. In 1992, they began working with poor communities in Kampot Province. Their goal was to improve living conditions. Later, they expanded to northern Cambodia. Now, FH focuses on community development and other needs to improve lives.
Since 2016, FH Cambodia has partnered with education groups. They work with local organizations recognized by the Cambodian Ministry of Education. This helps preschool teachers get certified. FH Cambodia has helped over 200 preschool teachers get this training. This helps them teach children better.
Rebuilding Lives in Guatemala
FH started in Guatemala in 1976. This was after an earthquake killed many people. FH provided clothes, food, and shelters. In 1981, they officially opened an office. They focused on helping orphans and widows affected by Guatemala's civil war. Today, FH works on long-term community development. They especially focus on child and infant health and nutrition.
In 2018, FH Guatemala used "Cascade Groups" to share health messages. These groups helped reduce malnutrition in 4,463 children. Over 1,200 volunteer mothers taught new mothers. They learned about breastfeeding and how to respond to their babies' needs. This helps children's health and development.
Providing Aid in Kenya
In 1976, FH began working in Kenya. This was due to a severe drought. They provided emergency supplies in the Marsabit district. Since then, FH has focused on long-term development. This includes livelihoods, sanitation, water, health, nutrition, and child development. They also work on HIV/AIDS prevention and care.
FH Kenya is working on a project to increase access to water. This project helps 70,000 people and livestock. It is part of The Kenya Resilient Arid Land Partnership for Integrated Development. FH Kenya helps public and private groups improve water access. They also work to restore healthy rangelands. This ensures enough water for everyone over time. This project started in 2015 and ended in 2020.
Supporting Recovery in Rwanda
In 1994, FH responded to the crisis caused by the genocide. In the years after, FH helped reunite children with their families. They also provided farming help, emergency food, and support for livelihoods. Since 2001, FH has focused on long-term development. This includes livelihoods, food, and education.
In 2017, FH Rwanda helped over 18,000 students with school supplies. More than 35,000 students benefited from new classrooms, desks, and water tanks. FH Rwanda also trains parents and teachers. This helps them monitor children's attendance and learning in schools. They become active in children's education.
How Food for the Hungry Gets Money
FH is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). Their financial report for 2013 showed where their money came from. 35% came from the U.S. government. 62% came from individuals. 3% came from churches, businesses, and foundations.
Of this money, 83% was used for programs. 11% was used for fundraising. 6% was used for administrative costs.
Being Open About Money
Food for the Hungry follows the ECFA's rules for responsible money management. In the past, they received a high rating for transparency from GuideStar. However, this rating was lowered. This was because a higher percentage of funds went to administration and fundraising.
Currently, Food for the Hungry has a 3 out of 4-star rating on Charity Navigator. Their overall score is 87.34 out of 100. They scored 100 for being open and responsible. But they scored 82.11 out of 100 in the financial category. This was due to a relatively high amount of money spent on fundraising and administration.
See also
- Canadian Food for the Hungry
- Feed the Children
- Food for the Poor, Inc.
- Heart to Heart International
