CARE: Caring for Those in Need Since 1945

Based in Atlanta, Georgia and working in 86 countries around the world, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. CARE's mission is to serve the poorest individuals and families on the planet, with a special focus on working alongside underprivileged women – when given the proper resources, women help whole families and communities escape poverty. CARE's areas of work include women's empowerment, world hunger, HIV and AIDS, girls' education, clean water, maternal health, child marriage, poverty and social justice, youth empowerment, climate change, economic development, and violence against women. Ninety percent of the charity's expenses go toward program activities, with 76 percent spent on long-term solutions to poverty and 24 percent allocated to emergency response and rehabilitation.



Guided by the dreams of local communities, CARE creates lasting change by encouraging self-help, providing jobs, influencing policy decisions at all levels, delivering emergency aid, and addressing all forms of discrimination. CARE envisions a world of hope, social justice, and tolerance – one without poverty and where people live in dignity and security.

CARE was founded in 1945 when more than 20 American organizations came together to send lifesaving CARE Packages to World War II survivors. The first 20,000 packages, which reached Le Havre, France on May 11, 1946, were US Army surplus “10-in-1” food parcels designed to feed 10 soldiers during the planned invasion of Japan. When the “10-in-1” parcels ran out, CARE put together its own food packages with the support of American companies. Later, clothes, books, school supplies, blankets, carpentry tools, and medicine were also included in the packages, and delivery was expanded to other regions in need. Though the CARE Package was phased out decades ago, it remains a powerful symbol of compassion and generosity.

CARE is currently headed by president and CEO Dr. Helene Gayle, who has been with the organization since 2006.