The Food for the Poor organization has announced that it is redirecting its focus with the hope of garnering local financial support, as international support dwindles.

At a press conference today, the Chief Executive Officer of Food for the Poor (Guyana) Inc, Andrea Benjamin, said the needs of the country have evolved and with the oil and gas industry fueling growth of the economy, it has become important for the organization to adapt to the changes.

She explained that during its 34 years of existence, the organization has shifted its focus from immediate relief, which included the distribution of food, to development needs such as the construction of homes and community centres and offering support to the Health, Education and Agriculture Sectors.

“Today, Food for the Poor Guyana Inc understands that there is no longer a need for immediate relief. There is a need now to shift the focus of the organization from immediate relief more so to resilience. So, this is the path we took in 34 years, from relief to development. We are at a stage now where we are empowering through building capacity,” Benjamin explained.

The Food for the Poor CEO said it is important for the organization to remain relevant in the country and to continue to make meaningful contributions by meeting the evolving needs of the people of Guyana.

The organization’s attention will now be placed on capacity building and empowerment.

However, Ms. Benjamin explained that in order to execute its mandate, Food for the Poor requires financial support.

“Food for the Poor in its 34 years, we have depended heavily on the support of overseas donors, not only for our operations but also for our programmes and projects. Ninety-nine (99) percent of our support, prior to 2024, came from US donors. As you know and we all know, the country has changed, the economic status of the country has changed and donors are not inclined to give as much as they used to Guyana,” she explained.

With more than 100 companies involved in the local oil and gas sector, Benjamin said Food for the Poor is ready to engage them on collaborations and support.

She said Food for the Poor has a track record of supporting vulnerable communities, and promoting development where it is needed the most.

“Companies have their corporate social responsibility mandate, and we want to work with them to ensure that that they can deliver their mandate and we can execute for them. Some persons may ask, why Food for the Poor? When a company has to choose an agency to improve their corporate social responsibility, why do Food for the Poor? One, we have been part of the development structure of the country for 34 years, and there is not a lot of agencies that can say this as it relates to their work here. We have touched lives, we have built communities, we have empowered families in all 10 administrative regions of this country,” she said.

While Food for the Poor will be shifting its focus, it will still offer relief to the poor and vulnerable, while pushing its ability to assist with empowerment and capacity building.

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