JFS High Holidays Food Drive: More Than 220 Bags Collected to Stock the Food Pantry

As the elevated need for food continues in the region, members of Beth El Synagogue, Congregation Beth Israel, Shirat Hayam, and Temple Beth Shalom as well as community individuals, hosted a High Holiday collection to support Jewish Family Service of Atlantic & Cape May Counties (JFS). The agency received more than 220 bags of food which will stock the pantry’s shelves to assist individuals and families in the community.

“The on-going support from congregations and residents provides the JFS Pantry with the much-needed food for individuals and families in the region,” said Vanessa Smith, JFS Volunteer Services Supervisor. “There should never be a child or family going hungry in the community.”

The participating synagogues and community members graciously donated many of JFS’ top necessities including peanut butter, jelly, hearty soups, canned tuna, cereal, rice, pasta, vegetables, and macaroni & cheese as well as can openers.

“With the generosity of congregation members, especially during the High Holy Days, as well as residents in the community, our pantry can continue to serve thousands of families each year,” said Andrea Steinberg, JFS Chief Executive Officer. “JFS continues to be a lifeline to provide hearty and nutritious foods, especially for individuals who are unable leave their home.”

As we embark on the upcoming month, our agency is experiencing an increase in requests for Thanksgiving meals. JFS continues to collect monetary donations as well as bags of essential holiday food items to provide to local families. A $45 donation to JFS allows the agency to purchase a turkey and trimmings for a family’s holiday dinner. Bags can also be donated with non-perishable items including macaroni & cheese, yams, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, string beans, and corn.

Turkey Drive donations can be mailed to: JFS, 607 North Jerome Avenue, Margate, NJ 08402 or made online at: www.jfsatlantic.org. Non-perishable food donations can be delivered to JFS. For more information about the JFS Food Pantry, contact Vanessa Smith at vsmith@jfsatlantic.org or Mary DeMarco at mdemarco@jfsatlantic.org.

Photograph

Jewish Family Service Volunteer Services Supervisor Vanessa Smith gets ready to unload the agency’s van with food donated by Congregation Beth Israel. The non-perishable food will be sorted and stocked in the pantry to assist individuals and families in need in the community. More than 220 bags of groceries were donated as part of the annual High Holidays Food Drive from Beth El Synagogue, Shirat Hayam, and Temple Beth Shalom as well as community members. (Photo provided by Jewish Family Service of Atlantic & Cape May Counties)