This past week, volunteers from our Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ, alongside the Jewish Relief Agency (JRA), packed more than 450 boxes of food, providing essential meals to more than 1,000 people throughout New Jersey. Led by our Center for Volunteerism, and chairs Melanie Kass and Shana Pantirer, along with Rabbi Moishe Gurevitz, the event brought people of all ages together to support homebound community members and others in need.
Join us! The work to combat food insecurity continues next week and beyond!
Want to make an impact? We’re inviting even the littlest helpers to join in to make a difference. Next week, bring your family to our Oatmeal Packing Event with MEND, supporting over 40 food pantries across Essex County. Plus, there will be a PJ Library story time, fun crafts, and plenty of pizza for all. Volunteers ages two and up are welcome, so grab the kids, roll up those tiny sleeves, and help us fight local hunger together.
Food insecurity has surged by 22% this year, and it’s hitting families in New Jersey hard. This includes more than 260,000 children, or about one in eight kids in the state. And for many Jewish households already struggling, the pressure to make ends meet—to cover food and other necessities—is becoming overwhelming for some.
The rise in food insecurity can be attributed to several factors: soaring food prices, the expiration of pandemic-related safety nets, and wages that have failed to keep pace with the cost of living.
In response to this urgent need, The Center for Volunteerism has launched several food packing events this fall. To learn more and stay up to date on all upcoming volunteer opportunities, click here.
We were thrilled to have members of our newly launched Next Chapter group—focused on community engagement for adults 55+— join us last week in our food-packing efforts. If you’re 55+ and looking to meet new people, make a difference, and find purpose in giving back, join us next week at our Shabbat Packing and Distribution event on Sunday, November 24 and be sure to join our Next Chapter WhatsApp group. It’s the easiest way to stay updated on upcoming events and opportunities tailored for you.
Bookmark our upcoming events and programs page to stay up to date on all the happenings!
To learn more about food insecurity in Greater MetroWest, check out “This Fall, You Can Help Feed Families in Your Community” by Jamie Carus.
Thank you to everyone who spent their Sunday morning giving back to our community with JRA earlier this week!