Lyndsay Mendez Archives - Food For The Poor

On Tuesday, April 17, a group of 10 Food For The Poor staff members traveled to Haiti to get updates on various projects the charity has underway to improve the lives of the hungry, homeless and thirsty. Lyndsay Mendez and Michael Chin Quee of FFP’s Donor Relations team report from the field: Lyndsay Mendez: What […]

WATCH BEYOND THE PLATE EPISODES LIVE IN OUR STUDIO

Join Paul and Danny live in the studio for Season 2 of Beyond the Plate as they engage in thought-provoking conversations with a powerful lineup of guests. From Barron Segar, CEO of World Food Program USA, and Monica Majors of World Central Kitchen, to Steve Urchin, manager of Sean Paul, and global music icon Shaggy, each episode dives deep into stories that go far beyond feeding the hungry. This season shines a light on thought leaders, innovators, and changemakers who are breaking the cycle of poverty and driving lasting impact through compassion and creativity.

You'll also hear inspiring perspectives from Cedella Marley, daughter of the legendary Bob Marley, Christian singer Blanca, and beloved Hispanic star Angélica Vale, as they share how uniting communities through sustainable development can create meaningful, long-term change. Tune in for powerful stories of hope, resilience, and real solutions that uplift lives and nourish the soul.

Why Support our new Pilot Initiative

A Mercado Global handbag isn’t just an accessory—it’s a meaningful gift that represents hope and resilience. When you shop on our website you're making the statement that poverty isn't inevitable.

Every purchase helps create a stable economic environment within impoverished communities, which can lead to food security and reduce dependency on aid. It’s an investment in breaking the cycle of poverty through fair trade practices that uplift entire communities.

Each handbag is a unique piece of art, handcrafted by skilled artisans who draw on traditional techniques passed down through generations. This supports cultural preservation while giving artisans a source of pride and financial independence.

Empowering Women Through Sewing Flora Handbag

Flora Petite Crossbody in Turf Moss

The Flora Petite Tote is a square silhouette trimmed with leather piping and paired with structured leather handles. The detachable leather strap means you can carry it comfortably over your shoulder or remove it to wear in hand for an on-trend look.

Price: $128

SHOP NOW

Flora Petite Clutch in Lavender Maple

The Flora Petite Tote features a square silhouette trimmed with leather piping and paired with structured leather handles. The detachable leather strap means you can carry it comfortably over your shoulder or can be removed to wear in hand for an on-trend look.

Price: $128

SHOP NOW

Mini Lily Wristlet in Cream Soda

Featuring a leather wristlet and zipper pull, our Mini Lily conveniently and stylishly stores your essentials. Keep in your handbag as an organizer and remove for a chic night look!

Price: $58

SHOP NOW

Handbags are ethically crafted, prioritizing fair labor practices and sustainable production. With each purchase, you’re helping prove that we can tackle poverty through sustainable community development.

Buying a Mercado Global handbag provides sustainable income for artisans in marginalized communities, directly helping them support their families. By working part-time, artisans can make up to $8 a day, which is enough to lift themselves out of poverty over the course of a few months of engagement.

By shopping with us, you’re supporting a test initiative designed to demonstrate that we can build a sustainable, closed-loop system between our micro-enterprise programs and an online marketplace. If the test is sucessful we'll be able to scale up our programs.

Accountable.

Food For The Poor is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to responsible stewardship and full transparency. Your contributions are tax-deductible under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). Tax ID: #59-2174510.

We're honored to be independently recognized for our integrity and impact, and we remain dedicated to open reporting.

Since 1982, 6 Million Donors Have Made It Possible for Us to Provide:

More than 4.7 Billion Meals

96,381 Safe & Secure Homes

105,415 Tractor-Trailers of Essential Aid

Meal totals reflect food shipments from 2006–2025. Shipments from 2006–2015 were converted from pounds to meals (4 meals per pound) and combined with reported meal totals from 2016–2025. Home construction totals and tractor-trailer shipments represent cumulative impact from 1982–2025.

Tag: Lyndsay Mendez

Report from the field: Haiti mission trip

WATCH BEYOND THE PLATE EPISODES LIVE IN OUR STUDIO

Why Support our new Pilot Initiative

Flora Petite Crossbody in Turf Moss

Flora Petite Clutch in Lavender Maple

Mini Lily Wristlet in Cream Soda

Trusted. Transparent.

Accountable.

Since 1982, 6 Million Donors Have Made It Possible for Us to Provide: