Food Pantry Visits and Emergency Assistance Requests Reach Record Levels | | |
In September, the Alex & Sally Lebwohl Food Pantry served 1,222 people, an 84% increase over the 665 served in September 2025. Over the same period, applications for emergency financial assistance nearly quintupled, climbing from 75 in January to 360 in September.
Behind these numbers are individuals and families facing impossible choices: paying rent or covering a medical bill, buying groceries or keeping the lights on. Rising costs for food, housing, utilities, and healthcare are stretching household budgets to the breaking point, and changes to public assistance programs, including SNAP, add new uncertainty for families already struggling to make ends meet. For many, a single unexpected expense or cut in benefits can put food, medication or a safe place to live out of reach.
As requests rise across all of our programs, our small team is working tirelessly to keep pace. We’re meeting nearly double the demand with the same number of staff. Our team is giving everything it has, but we can’t keep pace without our community’s support.
Your generosity helps close the gap between our neighbors’ growing needs and the resources available to meet them.
| | | Funder Spotlight: United Jewish Federation's Lasting Impact | | |
For years, United Jewish Federation of Utah (UJF) has been a valued and steadfast partner in helping Jewish Family Service (JFS) care for our community. Through its longstanding grant support, UJF has helped sustain programs that strengthen well-being, foster meaningful connections, and ensure people can access the support they need.
This year, in response to an especially challenging funding climate, UJF awarded multiple grants in support of JFS’ Older Adult Programs and Emergency Financial Assistance Fund. The Federation’s continued investment has been instrumental in sustaining vital services through uncertain times, responding to growing community needs, and ensuring older adults have access to compassionate, affordable support.
“Caring for those in need is central to our Jewish values, and Jewish Family Service puts those values into action every day. We deeply value our longstanding partnership with JFS and are pleased that the Federation can provide this additional support at a critical time, helping sustain important services and meaningful connections for older adults throughout our community,” said Alex Shapiro, Executive Director of the Federation.
We are deeply grateful to UJF for its continued partnership and generosity. This support reflects our shared commitment to putting Jewish values into action through tikkun olam (repairing the world), kavod (dignity and respect), and tzedek (justice), ensuring members of our community can access the services, care, and support they need to thrive.
| | Double Your Impact! Live PC Give PC 2026 | | |
The countdown is on! Live PC Give PC 2026 is just around the corner, and we’re inviting you to join us in supporting Jewish Family Service on November 6.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of Michele & Gary Carr and Andrea & Jeff Silver, we have TWO MATCHES this year! Every dollar you donate, up to $20,000, will be matched dollar for dollar.
Early giving is already underway, so you don’t have to wait! You can donate now or set a reminder to give on November 6.
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Donate Now
In addition to donating, we’d love for you to stop by and join us at our Open House at JFS’ Park City Office on November 6 from Noon to 3 PM. It’s the perfect chance to meet some of our team, see the office, and help us make thank you calls to our generous Live PC Give PC donors.
| | Thank You for Joining Us for Embrace Aging | | | | |
We’re grateful to everyone who joined us last month for our special Embrace Aging class with Anne Asman of Adapt2Aging!
Anne shared a fresh perspective on the aging process, offering helpful information for those planning for their own future, supporting a loved one, or simply wanting to better understand aging.
| | Thank you to everyone who came, learned, asked questions, and connected with others in our community. We hope you left feeling more informed, confident, and prepared to embrace the journey of aging. | | We Had a Wonderful Evening at our Chai Fall Soirée on October 6 | | | | |
A heartfelt thank you to our amazing hosts, Cathy & Gerry Goldman, for making the evening so memorable, and to everyone who joined us. We are incredibly grateful for your generosity and for all the ways you help make a difference in our community.
The sustaining support of our Chai Society members, donors who give $1,800 or more each year, allows JFS to continue providing essential services to those in need in our community.
| | JFS Participated in Park City's Annual 9/11 Day of Service | | | | |
Thank you to the Park City Humanitarians/Serve Park City Team, and to everyone who volunteered for Park City's Annual 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance.
JFS was thrilled to have such a great turnout of enthusiastic volunteers who created cards of encouragement and support for the clients of our Alex & Sally Lebwohl Food Pantry. Your time and energy made a meaningful difference and we’re incredibly grateful for your support!
| | Gleeful Choir Performs at Walk to End Alzheimer's Salt Lake City | | | | |
Our very own Gleeful Choir, led by Arts & Aging Coordinator Emily Christensen, performed at the Alzheimer's Association: Utah Chapter Walk to End Alzheimer's on October 17.
Melissa Zimmerman, Executive Director, and Tiffanie Emerson, Older Adult Case Manager, were also there to share information about the wide range of services JFS provides to older adults and caregivers of loved ones living with Alzheimer's or other dementias.
| | Thank You to Local Synagogues for High Holiday Food Drives | | |
JFS is sending heartfelt thanks to Congregation Kol Ami and Temple Har Shalom for their incredible generosity during their recent High Holy Days food drives for our Alex & Sally Lebwohl Food Pantry.
These donations go a long way in helping feed individuals and families facing food insecurity in our community. We couldn't do it without all of the amazing community support!
| | Scam Emails Impersonating JFS Leadership | | |
We've learned that some of our supporters have received fraudulent emails that appear to come from our Board Co-President, Ann Bernstein. These messages ask the recipient to pay a "expense" or another vendor bill by wire transfer or ACH.
These emails are a scam. They were not sent by Ann or by anyone at Jewish Family Service.
Please know that JFS will never ask you by email or text to wire money, send an ACH payment, buy gift cards, or pay a vendor on our behalf. If you ever receive payment instructions you didn’t specifically request, please call us to confirm before sending anything.
If you receive a suspicious message:
- Do not reply, click any links, or send any money.
- Check the sender's actual email address. These messages often come from look-alike or personal accounts.
- Call JFS at 801-746-4334 if you are unsure, then delete it.
We're sorry for the concern this may cause, and we're grateful to the supporters who alerted us.
| | Changes to Medicaid Rules Coming in 2027 | | |
Utah Medicaid rules are changing. Starting January 1, 2027, some adults enrolled in Medicaid may need to meet a new monthly community engagement requirement to keep their coverage.
Take a few minutes now to make sure your information is current and learn whether these changes may affect you by visiting Utah Department of Health & Human Services website here or call 1-866-659-6176.
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