COCONUT CREEK, Fla.  - Food For The Poor, the foremost international relief organization serving the Caribbean and Latin America, announced its 14th annual gala, Seeds of Hope, which will be held Saturday, February 7, 2009, at the Boca West Country Club. A spectacular evening is planned, beginning with cocktails and an extensive silent auction, followed by a gourmet dinner, dancing and a special performance by vocalist Madison M. McIntosh.

Master of ceremonies for Seeds of Hope will be Emmy Award-winning newscaster Calvin Hughes. Hughes serves as the weekday morning and noon news anchor at WPLG-TV Local 10 (ABC) News. In August 2008, Hughes accompanied dignitaries from Miami-Dade County as they traveled to Haiti with Food For The Poor representatives to distribute nonperishable items at Food For The Poor’s feeding center in Port-au-Prince.

The gala focuses on the dire housing needs in Haiti that were compounded by the grueling 2008 hurricane season. Housing has been a top priority for Food For The Poor, with more than 50,000 housing units given to the poor. By providing simple, sturdy homes to the poorest of the poor, we can change the lives of entire families by giving them the security of a safe, dry place to live.

The event chairs for Seeds of Hope are Robin and Gail Mahfood. Robin has been involved with Food For The Poor since its founding in 1982, and currently serves as its president and chief executive officer. Under his management, Florida’s largest charity has doubled in size every three years, and has maintained a remarkable operating cost ratio - under 4 percent.

Food For The Poor will honor South Florida residents whose generosity and dedication to the organization have been inspirational. Food For The Poor’s 2009 Ambassadors for the Poor honorees include Dennis and Jennifer Charley, Rev. Marty Devereaux, Michael and Kathryn Feanny, Calvin Hughes, Ben and Sally Kennedy, Guillermo and Bertha Monroy, Alvaro and Barbara Pereira, Raymond and Leonor Ripoll, Mark Schulhof, and Gerald and Kathy Stevens.

Event sponsors include Aljoma Lumber, American Nicaraguan Foundation, Dennis Charley & Associates, Inc., The Pereira Family, Quadriga Art, Inc., Rody Truck Center, Seaboard Marine, and United Healthcare.