The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia is pleased to welcome Laura Rock to its Mitzvah Food Program (MFP) team as its new client services manager.

In her role at the MFP, Rock will provide oversight of volunteer operations and client deliveries, and ensure exceptional client services and a meaningful experience for volunteers. She will oversee day-to-day operations, such as quality control inspections, while also managing long-term initiatives, including a new Social Return on Investment (SROI) model for the MFP.

"What drew me to this role was the opportunity to connect individuals and families with essential resources while putting the Jewish value of tikkun olam, repairing the world, into action,” said Rock. “At a time when there is so much misunderstanding about what it means to be Jewish, I believe it is more important than ever to demonstrate our community’s commitment to compassion and service through initiatives like the Mitzvah Food Program.”

Rock is no stranger to the MFP. She started volunteering at the Center City pantry as a delivery driver during COVID in 2020. She then volunteered with the Main Line pantry fulfilling orders. 

Before officially joining the Jewish Federation, Rock served as a full-cycle recruiter at Workhelix, an AI startup. There, she built the recruiting function from the ground up — designing and implementing hiring processes, customizing recruiting software and helping triple the company’s head count in her first year.

Rock also founded and ran From Marjorie, a successful catering business specializing in artisanal cheese and charcuterie boards for private and corporate clients. She brings nonprofit experience from Community Cooks in Boston, where she supported the meal delivery program, coordinated volunteers and improved operational systems.

“I’m excited to join the Jewish Federation in a role that allows me to directly support our neighbors with dignity, compassion and care. Access to nutritious food can make a profound difference in people’s lives, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to a program that works to address food insecurity across Philadelphia,” said Rock.

Rock graduated summa cum laude from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a major in psychology and a minor in business.

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Since 1996, the Mitzvah Food Program (MFP) has served food insecure individuals and families in Greater Philadelphia. Operating out of four pantry sites in Old York Road, Main Line, Bucks County and Northeast, recipients can select their own fresh, frozen and nonperishable food with kosher options through a points system that incentivizes healthier eating. By utilizing a choice-based model, the MFP recognizes that those in need may have cultural, health or personal preferences that make prepackaged food boxes unsuitable. This work is housed under the Operations Department and is run by a team of Jewish Federation staff onsite. To learn more, click here.