Vision
All will enjoy the health benefits of high quality, nutritious food, exercise and healthcare in our communities.
Mission
The Poverello Center, Inc. provides nutritious food, services and basic living essentials with the highest degree of understanding, respect and love for individuals living with critical and chronic illnesses Including HIV, in South Florida.
History
Founded in 1987 by Father Bill Collins (1931-2017) and his dedicated group of volunteers, the goal was to feed people who were dying alone and rejected by society in large numbers with complications from AIDS. The crisis was so devastating, and he performed so many last rites, that he began to keep a “book of names” so that the community would not forget how many died and who they were. Sadly, that book was lost to time so we must remember those who’ve passed in our hearts.
Today, Poverello continues by helping the poor and sick to “eat well.” With HIV as a chronic condition, our program has better outcomes (Viral suppression rate of 89.28%) than either our local doctor’s offices or the current national average (49%). We now provide food as medicine to people with Cardiac and Kidney problems as well as those with glycemic disorders, Cancer or other serious illnesses. Each year more than 3500 people & families needing support come to Poverello to select medically appropriate grocery items from our specialized curated food and receive key nutritional information from our nutritionist.
The Mission statement was updated as part of our strategic planning in 2016 to “provide nutritious food, services and basic living essentials with the highest degree of understanding, respect and love for individuals living with critical and chronic illnesses Including HIV, in South Florida.”
