JFCS Spotlight - February 2023

The JFCS Corner Market Kosher Food Pantry is essential to our community. With hundreds of Northern NJ families still struggling to put food on their tables, it is just as important as ever that our food pantry continues to be a place of refuge for the food insecure. In order to meet the needs of the 700+ families who depend on our pantry, we depend on the generosity of the volunteers in our community. Families, adults, children, businesses, schools, synagogues, girl scout troops, bar/bat mitzvah kids...the list goes on and on when it comes to who in the community steps in to volunteer and lend a helping hand in the pantry.

At JFCS, our food pantry offers everyone the opportunity to help fight food insecurity through our robust volunteer program. Anyone can organize a food drive, come to our pantry, stock the shelves, and learn more about how our pantry helps those in need. For all the volunteers involved, giving back to the community through our food pantry leaves a lasting memory.

We recently hosted 80 students from Yeshivat Noam (right side picture above) who collected dozens of boxes of kosher food and donated them to our Corner Market. They stocked the shelves and got a sneak peek into how a food pantry operates. The students also donated art and school supplies which they packed into bags that they decorated – these supplies were given out to local children in need. By the end of the day, these students partook in a unique and fulfilling opportunity that taught them valuable lessons of chesed (kindness) and tzedakah (charity).

The opportunity to give back is more personal to some. One of our food pantry volunteers recently sent us this message: "My husband had to flee Russia 20 years ago (where his family was persecuted for being Jewish), and Jewish Family & Children's Services of Northern NJ was the one who supported his family of new immigrants. Now, it is our honor to volunteer and help others in need."

Our food pantry clients are happy every day to have the Corner Market as a lifeline in their time of need, and it is because of you, our community of volunteers, that JFCS can continue offering the support it does to anyone who needs our help.

Dear Friends,

I am always astounded at the generosity of heart and soul in addition to the precious time that is contributed to JFCS and our clients by our volunteers.

Above focuses on the impact of all who have volunteered at our Corner Market Kosher Food Pantry. Whether once or many times, we are so appreciative for all your help!

I also want to highlight the hundreds of other volunteers who support our staff and clients in so many different ways:

Volunteers deliver Kosher Meals on Wheels every week to hundreds of homebound seniors. Each delivery of sustenance is accompanied by large doses of warmth, caring, and love.
Volunteers serve as Friendly Visitors and Telephone Companions to isolated and lonely older adults and truly make a difference in their lives.
Volunteers act as Mentors in our Re-Launch program, coaching unemployed or underemployed individuals who are working on improving their careers.
Volunteers are absolutely key to the success of our Annual Ride to Fight Hunger every June and have participated in other special days of service at JFCS, like on MLK Day.
There are often tasks or functions needed that can be accomplished by a responsible and self-starting volunteer. We just go to our list and engage a willing angel (volunteer) who happily responds to staff who need their help.

Simply put, JFCS relies on volunteers every day to help us accomplish our mission of serving our Northern New Jersey community with the highest quality social and mental health services.

We are eternally grateful to you all - volunteers past, present, and future!

THANK YOU!!