FORTY poverty-stricken families will have the comfort of new two-bedroom houses from Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica later this year, thanks to donations committed thus far by individuals, companies and others during the charity organisation’s third annual 5K Walk/Run held on May 13 at Emancipation Park in St Andrew.

At the Walk/Run event, Andrew Mahfood, chairman of FFP-Jamaica, announced that the charity intends to construct 100 houses in total from the event’s proceeds, and that they are grateful for the 40 houses already committed.“When you hear us say that we want to build 100 homes, that’s just a drop in the bucket. We need to build 10,000 houses because there are tens of thousands of Jamaicans who we have seen and are now on our waiting list, who are desperately in need of houses,” Mahfood said.Mahfood strongly believes the goal of constructing 100 houses from the event will be achieved as individuals and organisations are still committing to the 5K.Approximately $46.5 million was raised from the first 5K Walk/Run in 2015 and $53 million in 2016, with over 100 houses built.“No charity can survive without the support system of their nation,” Mahfood said.“We are happy that individuals, the private and public sectors, groups from all 14 parishes, members of our diaspora, and people living outside of Jamaica decided to support us through contributions, pledges and donations through the Internet.”Marsha Burrell Rose, marketing manager, said that National Bakery, Jamaica Public Service, National Commercial Bank, ReMax, Black Ink Marketing and Event Solutions Limited, CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank, Red Stripe, Running Events, Rototech, Supreme Ventures, Zoukie, Hi-Pro and Coldwell Banker have committed houses from corporate Jamaica. Other donors include Yohan Blake and Michael Hylton.All funds committed by these individuals and organisations were matched equally by FFP-Florida.