Food for the Hungry is an international relief and development organization operating in over 20 countries around the world. It was started in 1971 by Dr. Larry Ward, with the mission of walking with leaders, churches, and families to beat human poverty in all its forms by pursuing thriving relationships with God. Since 1980, Food for the Hungry has been an Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability charter member.

After numerous relief efforts and programs, Food for the Hungry launched and pioneered a model called care groups in 1997. Still in practice today, care groups turns to social networking to bring aid to communities, enlisting 10 to 15 community-based volunteers to educate others in the community about health issues. Each volunteer then meets with 10 to 15 of their neighbors, creating a multiplying effect that not only eases information dissemination but makes information collection easier as well.The US Agency for International Development is a supporter of the care group model.