About FoC

Over 40 years ago our mission began with the answered call to live the gospel of Matthew 25.  In the beginning there was one small soup kitchen and a few employees to serve over 30,000.  With the support of thousands of donors and volunteers from around the world, the mission programs have evolved to serve the many and varied needs of the poor from the most basic needs such as food, shelter, and medical care to the liberating and empowering access to education and transformation.   

Great progress and successes have been accomplished over the decades with thousands of families lifted out of poverty. This provides Friends of Chimbote supporters and volunteers with the opportunity to bring our life changing services to the outlying invasions where poverty is severe, and hope is missing. Our mission is to inspire and educate more generations of servant leaders to become advocates providing the poorest of the poor with a proven path to a life transformed. Our journey continues. The needs are great, but we know from experience that through the hearts, love, faith, and support of friends of the Mission that each day many steps are taken on the path out of poverty.  

Friends of Chimbote is a US-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization responsible for the governance, global advocacy, and fundraising needed to sustain the life-changing mission programs and services in Chimbote now and into the evolving future.  

Our office is located in Fargo, North Dakota with dedicated staff members who work with thousands of individuals, civic groups, sister parishes, and congregations to raise funds for mission programs, collect and ship donated goods to the mission, and coordinate mission group visits and volunteer services.  

Our Mission

Friends of Chimbote is a faith-based organization dedicated to supporting programs that improve and transform the lives of the poor of Chimbote, Peru and surrounding communities.

Our Vision

Friends of Chimbote is a vibrant steward committed to continuing the legacy of our founders by securing resources and empowering capacity in our partner, ACAF, to help the poor overcome their challenges and provide them the opportunity, with education, and resources to put them on a path out of poverty.  

Our Values

Rooted in the belief that it is our duty to serve the poor effectively and with great compassion, our values include: 

Dignity, Respect, Accountability, Empowerment, Integrity, Enthusiasm, Humility, Faith, Love, Hope, Conviction, Perseverance, Transparency, Solidarity, Justice, Honesty, and Loyalty

Faith Statement

Friends of Chimbote and ACAF are faith-based organizations that welcome the support of all people regardless of their religious affiliation who embrace our core values and service model to empower the poor. While our daily programs improving the lives of the least of our brothers and sisters are prevalent, we are also committed to supporting their faith journey and the individuals that are supporting them. We desire for others to know God and aim to share the love of Christ in everything we do. Partners in our commitment to meet the spiritual as well as social needs of those we serve is Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish in Chimbote and Virgin of Mercy Church in Cambio Puente. With 85% of the population within the Diocese of Chimbote being Catholic, the spiritual support and guidance provided by the pastor and parish is critical. All are welcome to worship with the community. We believe that God hears and answers prayers and that believers are to uniquely demonstrate their faith.

A Team Effort

Carrying out mission programs and services requires the alliance of five fundamental entities working in harmony: