Did you know 11,000 Jews in our Greater Philadelphia region face food insecurity? At the Jewish Federation, we help ensure no one in our communities goes hungry. Our very own Mitzvah Food Program’s five pantry sites throughout the region work hard to remain stocked year-round, ready to distribute food to over 8,600 clients — regardless of race, income, gender, age or religion — each year. In the coming weeks, you’ll have an opportunity to help fill those pantry shelves in our biggest High Holiday Food Drive ever.
Each year, our High Holiday Food Drive collects an amazing 50,000 pounds of nourishing food — enough for four months’ worth of client orders. This year, our goal is even higher: we’re working with 45 local synagogues and organizations to collect 60,000 pounds! That’s 30 tons of caring.
It’s so easy to take part. Starting on Rosh Hashanah, just head to your participating synagogue or agency with nutritious canned kosher protein items (nut butters, canned fish or canned beans). That’s all! After the holidays, your organization will either deliver the bounty to one of our pantry sites, to the SHARE warehouse, or schedule a pickup, whichever is most convenient. And we can all feel good about having started the year 5780 with an act of tzedakah.
For more information on the High Holiday Food Drive, click here. Don’t see your congregation listed as a Food Drive location? To add your organization, contact Phil Holtje at mitzvahfoodprogram@jewishphilly.org or 215.832.0815.