The FYM Foundation Aid For Humanity Project Supports the Fight against Hunger and Poverty

September 21, 2018, TORONTO, ON – According to the latest census released in 2016 by Statistics Canada, 4.8 million people live below the poverty line.  17 percent of persons younger than 18 are living in low income situations while  14.5 percent of seniors 65 years of age or older were also living below the poverty line, which went up from 12 percent in 2005, based on census data taken in 2015.

Through the Aid For Humanity Program of the Felix Y. Manalo (FYM) Foundation, along with members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo or Church Of Christ, over 3000 care packages were prepared for the homeless, refugees, new immigrants, as well as clients at local shelters.  Filled with winter wear items, including blankets, mittens, socks, as well as food items and hygiene products, these care packages were given out along with free food and entertainment at an event at the Queen Elizabeth Building at Exhibition Place in Toronto.

Various non-profit organizations including immigrant and refugee centres and local shelters were invited to receive care packages.  The following shelters also received a $1000.00CDN cheque for their respective communities: [1] Ralph Chiodo Family Immigrant Reception Center [2] TNO – The Neighbourhood Organization (Flemingdon Park Office) [3] The Redwood (Women’s Shelter) [4] Christie Ossington Neighbourhood Centre [5] Christie Refugee Welcome Center  [6] Homes First  Society [7] Flemingdon Community Food Bank [8] Matthew House Toronto [9] Romero House [10] The Canadian Centre for Refugee & Immigrant HealthCare.

Sam Chaise, who accepted the cheque on behalf of the Christie Refugee Welcome Center, said: “It’s great to see people putting faith into action. Faith isn’t just about what we think, it’s not just about what we feel, and it’s about what we do.”

Odinga Saxon visited a food bank this week and found out about the Aid for Humanity event.  She arrived at Exhibition place with her young son, and she was overwhelmed with gratitude for the warm welcome and care packages: “I have been in Canada for more than 15 years, and I’ve never seen anything like this. It was more than I expected… As a single mother, I try to give them the best help, the best schools, but it’s very difficult. You need help. Here, I feel joy. Here, I feel loved.”

Humanitarian efforts have also been seen in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada, where help was desperately needed after the historic fires in 2016, devastated the city, destroying close to 1600 homes.  Members of the Church Of Christ gathered at evacuation centres throughout Alberta to give relief goods to the citizens affected by the fires.

In Ladybrand, South Africa, in 2017, the FYM Foundation led efforts in the building of Eco-farms to help their citizens create stable and sustainable livelihood.  These efforts helped create jobs, and sources of food, to fight against poverty and hunger in their country.

Apart from providing monetary donations, the FYM Foundation has developed the EVM Self-Sustainable Resettlement Community in the Philippines for Typhoon Yolanda survivors, which consists of housing units and opportunities to provide livelihood opportunities.

The Church Of Christ upholds the Christian teaching of loving our fellowmen by extending help, doing good, and sharing with those who are in need, no matter what religious belief they hold. Anchored on such faith, the Church commenced the “Lingap sa Mamamayan” (Aid For Humanity) Program under the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation.

The FYM Foundation

The mission of the FYM Foundation is to provide opportunity and equity for those most in need. Promote education, socio-economic well-being, environmental awareness and health improvement for everyone. Contribute to the creation of peaceful and productive communities, not only in the United States, but also in other countries.

The FYM Foundation, a non-stock, non-profit, and non-political organization, coordinates the charitable and humanitarian projects of the Iglesia Ni Cristo or Church Of Christ, a religious organization, across Canada and all over the world.  

Visit the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) official website at http://iglesianicristo.net

 For more information, please visit https://incmedia.org/fym-foundation/