​Father Chuck's Challenge

Father Chuck's Challenge serving the poor of Haiti and Nicaragua announces its 1000th home.  During the week of June 15, 2015 FCC dedicated 148 new homes in Nicaragua, one of which was our 1000th.  Click HERE to read more about this significant milestone.

FCC Leadership Changes

Announced April 2014

FCC announces that we have established a presence in the country of Honduras.  Since our work in Nicaragua was curtailed last year, we set out to select a "next" country to focus our Mission on.  FCC has 2 Projects that we will start this year, providing 25 impoverished Honduran families safe and sturdy homes.

FCC announces new appointments to the Board effective Sept. 2019.

In The News: Food For The Poor

Updated March 2021

The ability to donate to Nicaragua has been removed due to a closing down of  in-country nonprofits FCC depends on to continue our work.  We will pursue other means to serve the Poor in the Central American region.

FCC Builds our 1000th Home

June 2015

News Bulletin: Nicaragua - key non profits halt work.

June 2022

FCC announces the country of Honduras as Nicaragua's replacement.

March 2023

 “Our provision of housing to the poor in Nicaragua and Haiti is possible only with project management by critically important partners, including partner charity Food For the Poor (FFTP).   FFTP’s charitable mission is much broader than ours, however.  For example, FFTP also receives, warehouses, and distributes sorely-needed goods (food, clothing, pharmaceuticals, etc.) in-kind throughout Central America and the Caribbean.  Although we are not involved in supporting or carrying out this aspect of FFTP’s mission, we are aware that the States of California and Michigan have disagreed with FFTP’s method of valuing in-kind pharmaceutical aid and have issued “cease and desist” orders with respect to FFTP solicitations which include statistics based, in part, on these valuations.  The Board of Father Chuck’s Challenge receives periodic updates regarding the status of this matter from FFTP executive management.  We believe that our partnership with FFTP remains the most effective means for us to provide housing and livelihood to the poor in Nicaragua and Haiti."

Latest update 3/2021: A judge for the Superior Court of the state of California issued a statement of decision on March 18, 2021 that the Attorney General of California was wrong in issuing a cease and desist order on FFTP. 

If you would like to learn more about the status of FFTP’s appeal and response to their legal challenges in California and Michigan,  please view the material HERE.

FCC Celebrates its 10th Anniversary!!!

April 22, 2017

At the September 2019 Board of Director's meeting, FCC elected two new members to Director positions.  James Magee III and  Francis P. Egan both bring considerable business and philanthropic experience to our leadership team.  FCC would also like to extend our thanks to Ed  Liebert, who is leaving the Board, for his leadership and formative work in attaining FCC's IRC 501(c)(3) Non-Profit status.

Father Chuck’s Challenge will now be headed up by Rev. Charles Kennedy and Mrs. Theresa Gilmore!  We thank God for them!!  Co-founders, Msgr. Schmidt and Mrs. Connie Hunt, are very, very grateful to God and to the thousands who have blessed them and Father Chuck’s Challenge with their prayers, help and generosity in the past years. They urge your continual support for the new leaders! … and for the very poor in Nicaragua and Haiti!!!  

News from FCC

Ten years ago Monsignor Francis X. Schmidt began the work of Father Chucks Challenge.  On April 22, 2017,  125 donors, volunteers and friends of FCC gathered at St. Isaac Jorges parish in Wayne, Pa. to celebrate and reflect upon the accomplishments of our FCC ministry.  See pictures and read more about the festivities HERE.