COMMUNITY NEWS
The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia mobilizes
financial and volunteer resources to address the
communities’ most critical priorities locally, in Israel and
around the world.

ost people use DoorDash to order
including the infl ux of Ukrainian refugees,
forgotten lunches, last-minute din-
who are now settling in the Northeast and
ners or late-night cookies.

require food assistance.

Th is year, the food delivery company
“With the growing need of these refugees,
is teaming up with the Jewish Federation
our social workers will be able to have a fur-
of Greater Philadelphia’s Mitzvah Food
ther reach in these impoverished communities
Program to serve up something diff erent:
while DoorDash provides the means to deliver
Th anksgiving meals for those in need.

these much-needed food supplies,” Drukier
As part of an ongoing partnership, the two
said. organizations are ensuring that everyone is
Th e current increase in need comes off the
able to have a table fi lled with nutritious food
heels of last year, when 1,060,742 pounds of
for the holidays and all year long.

nutritious, kosher food was distributed to
“With nearly a third of our city’s popula-
6,530 clients.

tion experiencing food insecurity in 2021, it
Unlike many food relief agencies, the
is our mission to expand our reach to help
Mitzvah Food Program’s clients are able to
alleviate the issues facing this most basic
choose from fresh and frozen groceries as well
human need,” explained Whitney Drukier,
as non-perishable goods. Th is choice-based
Mitzvah Food Program operations manager.

structure uses a point system that incentivizes
“Partnerships like the DoorDash deliveries
clients to select more nutritious items when
help our clients by getting to these communi-
placing their orders.

ties as quickly as we can.”
Aside from providing food, the Mitzvah
Fueling this relationship, DoorDash pro-
Food Program hopes to make a greater impact
vided the Mitzvah Food Program with an
by off ering increased social services to its
initial one-year, in-kind donation of $100,000
clientele. In a holistic approach to hunger,
in services. Th e initiative offi cially began
the staff helps clients apply for Supplemental
on April 25 and has already made 1,126
Nutrition Assistance Program, also known
deliveries, totaling more than 22,520 pounds
as SNAP, benefi ts, and sign up for other food
A volunteer from Mitzvah Food Program’s Thanksgiving meal
of food.

insecurity programs, like JRA and KleinLife’s
distribution in 2021. The Jewish Federation’s Mitzvah Food
Program began a partnership with DoorDash earlier in 2022
Th e ability to deliver groceries addresses
Meals on Wheels. Since many of the clients
to help make deliveries, including holiday packages, to food-
two key barriers for people experiencing
are Russian immigrants, the program employs
insecure individuals and families.

food insecurity: transportation and privacy.

two Russian-speaking social workers at the
DoorDash deliveries are discreetly made
Northeast pantry to off er additional support.

within a 10-mile radius of two of the Mitzvah Food Program’s four pantries:
Twenty-six years aft er its inception, the Mitzvah Food Program has upheld its
the Main Line location at the JFCS – Barbara and Harvey Brodsky Enrichment commitment to helping all who are hungry, regardless of race, religion or fi nan-
Center and the Northeast location at the KleinLife building.

cial background. Now, with the help of DoorDash, the longstanding program will
“We are honored to partner with the Mitzvah Food Program to broaden food be able to expand its goal of relieving food insecurity and creating the opportu-
access,” said Kelly Jones, DoorDash Drive director of government and nonprofi t. nity for clients to focus on other aspects of their lives.

“Local delivery has helped support food pantries’ provision of food and other
“Relieving the worries of our food supply means we can focus on regaining our
essentials while emphasizing convenience and dignity to meet the need in a long- physical strengths,” said Jean and Jason Lovell, clients of the Main Line pantry
term, sustainable way.”
who receive Mitzvah Food Program deliveries twice a month from DoorDash.

Th is partnership proved to be especially needed during the summer, a time of “We now have the freedom to join the senior center and participate in the activ-
year when volunteering is traditionally at its lowest. In lieu of volunteer drivers, ities off ered there. We’re extremely grateful to the Mitzvah Food Program for its
DoorDash was able to step in and deliver an average of 175 parcels per month continuous contributions and compassion.”
from May to August.

While volunteer engagement is expected to rise during the winter holidays,
*** DoorDash’s aid will remain an essential resource for the Mitzvah Food Program
For more information about the Mitzvah Food Program, visit jewishphilly.

through the colder months ahead. Th is is due to the program’s increase in clients, org/mfp, email mitzvahfoodprogram@jewishphilly.org or call 215-832-0509.

8 NOVEMBER 17, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM
Courtesy of Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia
M The Jewish Federation’s
Mitzvah Food Program Partners
With DoorDash