The High Holidays are a perfect opportunity for giving back. This fall, our local community pitched in to support those in need, donating generously to the Jewish Federation’s Mitzvah Food Program High Holiday Grocery Gift Card Drive.

The drive yielded $12,466 in grocery store gift cards, $9,976 of which was distributed during Thanksgiving to families in need, with $2,490 being distributed to 34 families of Ukrainian refugees in highest need.

Originally modified out of necessity due to COVID-19, the gift card drive was held again this year, encouraging people to purchase ShopRite, ACME and Giant gift cards for Mitzvah Food Program (MFP) clients to use at their local stores – adding to their food provided by the pantry and allowing for more options and providing for families’ needs directly. 

In addition to providing gift cards, community members also purchased food through MFP's Amazon Wish List, which shipped items directly to one of the program’s four pantry locations. 

“It is a way for us to give back to these families at a time where they have so many pressures upon them,” said Whitney Drukier, Operations Manager for MFP. “Helping them put food on their tables for their families to enjoy during the holidays is what the spirit of this season is truly about."

More than 23,000 Jewish families in the Greater Philadelphia region are food insecure. The Jewish Federation’s Mitzvah Food Program works hard year-round to combat these numbers, providing nutritious food to families in need throughout Greater Philadelphia. 

Across the four pantries, MFP serves more than 6,500 individuals per year. The pantries are stocked with nutritious kosher food from generous community member donations, the Jewish Federation, the Pennsylvania State Food Purchase Program, grants, Philabundance, SHARE and other donor sources. As opposed to a one-size-fits all package, clients at the two largest locations are able to to select their own food from an inventory of fresh, frozen and non-perishable options. 

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You can support the MFP’s work by dropping off non-perishable kosher food, toiletries and cleaning supplies to any of the food pantries or by donating here.