Hunger hurts! Unfortunately, many children and families in our community go without consistent access to affordable, nutritious food. For 35 years, The LJD Jewish Family & Community Services has been working to alleviate hunger for food-insecure families. The Max Block Food Pantry, our main food pantry, serves over 135,000 meals each year.
We have taken an active stand to combat hunger by increasing our food supply at the Max Block Food Pantry and in 2020 established Satellite Pantries at George Washington Carver Elementary and Inspire to Rise Community Center. A short time later, Beauclerc Elementary reached out to us. Teachers had been voluntarily stocking a food closet with take-home snacks in an effort to feed 40 students each week. Demand far exceeded their capabilities and when that number reached 60, JFCS stepped in and quickly set up a pantry on-site.
Soon after, Andrew Jackson High School requested that JFCS open a satellite food pantry on its campus. Since 53% of their students utilize the free and reduced lunch program, school may have been the only place these children were guaranteed to eat. Thanks to our satellite pantries, students and families can now bring meals home.
It is crucial that food is not only accessible but nourishing as well. JFCS ensures that all pantries are stocked with nutritious, non-perishable, high-protein meals. Bags given to clients also include educational inserts on healthy, low-cost recipes, smart grocery shopping and the impact of nutrition on academics to help families live healthier.
The rising cost of living has made it difficult for many to afford necessities such as food, rent/mortgage and medical care. Many – for the first time ever – have had to rely on our food pantry to meet their grocery needs.
Thankfully, JFCS is able to provide a lifeline to these struggling families and, if we work together, we can make a difference in the thousands of lives JFCS serves every year.