H EADLINES
required to complete a regis-
tration form to participate.

“So oft en people say, ‘Oh, I
don’t want to take from people
who are in need,’ and I say,
‘Th is is for everyone,’” Yares
said. “We are all in need right
now. We all have kids at home,
and they’re not supposed to be
home, and they eat a lot.”
Th e U.S. Department of
Agriculture reported that more
than 5 million children experi-
enced food insecurity in 2019.

Th at number jumped to more
than 13.9 million children
in 2020 as a result of the
economic crisis that accompa-
nied the pandemic, according
to an analysis by the Brookings
Institute. Yares said the scope of the
current hunger crisis means
federal and state govern-
ments have tossed many of the
normal eligibility regulations
for food assistance programs in
an eff ort to meet skyrocketing
demand as quickly as possible.

Yares was inspired to design
the program aft er he learned
about a similar project for
Jewish students in Passaic
run by Teach NJ, an advocacy
group for the state’s nonpublic
schools. He got funding
through the Department of
Agriculture’s Summer Food
Service Program, which
reimburses program operators
that provide food for low-in-
come kids when school is not
in session.

Th e volunteers started by
providing bagged lunches but
quickly moved to boxes when
they realized the scope of the
demand. Each box contains
seven breakfasts and seven
lunches, with healthy snacks
as well as regular and choco-
late milk. On Passover, food
boxes contained matzah and
macaroons along with other
kosher for Passover items.

“In a typical week, you’ll
have some turkey in there,
some cheese, falafel, rolls,
blintzes, some fi sh,” Notis
said. “It’s really a very nice
selection.” Left overs, especially dairy,
are donated to other local food
pantries. Yares said that since
dairy allergies are common
within the Jewish commu-
nity, the program has donated
thousands of gallons of milk to
the Cherry Hill Food Pantry.

Volunteer Samuel Gluck
uses his experience from
working in a warehouse many
years ago to help organize
other volunteers and make
sure the food pickup lines run
smoothly. “Th e actual fl ow of traffi c is
important,” he said. “We don’t
want to block off a road. We
want to make sure we get as
many cars out as quickly as
possible to make sure there’s
no wait time as well.”
Gluck said each pickup site
Families line up to receive meals.

has 15 to 20 volunteers, with
two or three additional people
directing traffi c.

“People really want to get
involved and help out families.

It’s great,” he said.

Yares plans to continue
providing kosher meals until
at least Dec. 30. Aft er that,
much will depend on demand
and government funding, but
Photo by Ilana Yares
he thinks the success of the
program will make it easier to
keep it going.

“I didn’t know that this
would become one of my
greatest accomplishments of
my life,” he said. “I just wanted
to help and do no harm.” ●
Virtual Memory Café: Drama
spanzer@jewishexponent.com; 215-832-0729
Engaging Activities for Every
Alzheimer’s Stage
Presented by Loretta Veney, CPP
When Loretta’s mom, Doris, was diagnosed with
dementia, she began learning everything she
could about the disease in hopes of sharing that
information so others could be more prepared for
this devastating diagnosis than she had been.

Loretta has learned that keeping
your loved one engaged is important
throughout all stages of Alzheimer’s
disease. Join us as she shares a
variety of activities that will engage
and delight. You will find her recommended
activities easy to purchase or make without
breaking your budget. Loretta is also happy to
demonstrate activities upon request.

Join us for this FREE
Educational Webinar
Tuesday, April 20 th
3:00 - 4:00 p.m.

To Register
TheArtisWay.com/JewishExponent 267-277-2307
Please Register By Monday, April 19 th
Virtually Hosted By Artis Senior Living of Huntingdon Valley: 2085 Lieberman Drive, Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006
Check out our other nearby community in Yardley.

JEWISHEXPONENT.COM JEWISH EXPONENT
APRIL 15, 2021
13