What You Can Do to Help JFS Fight Hunger

Jewish Family Service of Central NJ recently received several grants to support the JFS Kosher Food Pantry which provides food packages to over 250 individuals and families a month and 1,000 emergency food packages a year.  In addition to funding from the Federal Emergency Food and Shelter Program, JFS  received generous  grants  from the Ann Earle Talcott Fund, Shoprite Partners in Caring, and Stop & Shop Supermarkets to support our efforts to provide supplementary food packages for people who walk into the agency requesting emergency food.  Proceeds from our recent Art Show and Family Concert helped maintain all of our food programs including Kosher Meals on Wheels.

MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, a California based national nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing and alleviating hunger among people of all faiths and backgrounds, granted JFS of Central NJ $7,000 for our advocacy work to alleviate hunger. Rabbi George Nudell, of Congregation Beth Israel in Scotch Plains, says, "For over twenty years, MAZON has been addressing the problem of hunger, both in the United States and in Israel. Rather than creating another relief agency, MAZON screens and provides funding for organizations already at work fighting hunger, providing strategic initiatives to help people in poverty to become self-sustaining. With over 50 million Americans (mostly children!) and with almost a quarter of all Israelis living without enough to eat each day, the work MAZON does literally saves lives."
 

According to Tom Beck, JFS Executive Director, “JFS is pleased to have been selected once again for one of MAZON’S Partnership Grants to advocate on behalf of those in our community who need food.”  Mia Hubbard, MAZON’s  Vice President of Programs, says “Charitable food programs are struggling to keep up with unprecedented demand, and at the same time government food and nutrition assistance programs are under attack.”  The JFS Food Pantry Program, which helps over 250 individuals and families a month, has seen a sharp reduction in funding from FEMA.  “Funding from MAZON will help us advocate on the legislative level as well as educating the community about the plight of the unemployed or underemployed in our community who are having a hard time putting food on their tables” said Beck.

The Shoprite Partners in Caring Program, The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company, and the Ann Earle Talcott Fund are committed to a number of causes including fighting hunger.   JFS is most appreciative to these foundations and to everyone in the community who is our partner in helping alleviate hunger in our community.

In addition, the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest has been a generous partner in helping provide food and support for the Food Pantry.  Their annual Super Market Sweep before Passover  engages the entire community in purchasing food for the Pantry and culminates in sorting and storing the donated food in our main office where the pantry is located.  Donating and packing food is an integral activity for Super Sunday, scheduled this year for December 2, 2012.

Here are some ways you can help:

·    Donate Kosher Food -- JFS has an ongoing Kosher Food Pantry supplying monthly food packages to over 250 individuals and families a month.   The packages consist of non-perishable food items such as canned vegetables and beans, tuna fish, cereal, peanut butter, jam, pasta, crackers, oil, baby food, coffee tea, tomato sauce, etc.  In addition we provide over 1,000 emergency food packages to anyone who comes to our office seeking food.  We accept all kosher food items with a current expiration date on an ongoing basis.

·    Volunteer to maintain the JFS Urban Community Garden at the JFS Elizabeth office.

·    Help Pack and Deliver Food to the Needy—Contact Volunteer Coordinator Elie Bodner, ebodner@jfscentralnj.org, or, 908-352-8375,  if you are interested in donating food, money or your time.

·    Participate in the Supermarket Sweep and Super Sunday activities from the Jewish Federation of Great MetroWest. 

·    Donate funds or gift certificates to allow us to purchase food for the needy.