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.

Food Insecurity a Continuing Concern in
COVID-19 Holiday Season
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NEARLY ONE IN FIVE Americans is currently
supplementing their food supply with charitable
donations. And as the COVID-19 pandemic
continues, food banks and pantries across the
country are struggling as donations are not keeping
up with an increasing demand.

In Philadelphia, the Jewish Federation’s Mitzvah
Food Program’s five pantries are serving more clients
than ever before. Each of the food pantry locations
distribute nutritious food to all who are in need,
regardless of race, income, gender, age or religion.

With broad-based support from the region’s
Jewish community and hunger relief agencies, the
Mitzvah Food Program, which initially distributed
food through a single community site, has expanded
its geographic reach throughout Philadelphia and into
the region’s lower-income suburban neighborhoods.

The program benefits from both the support of
an advisory committee made up of active commu-
nity members, local nutritionists, and site leaders
and a team of dedicated volunteers that keep our
pantries and deliveries running smoothly. We also
work with local and state hunger relief organiza-
tions, synagogues, and community organizations
to acquire low-cost food staples and with volunteer
groups throughout the region to organize food drives.

Visitors choose the foods they like from the
inventory, rather than receiving a one-size-fits-all
package. The pantries are stocked thanks to donations
from generous community members, the Jewish
Federation, the Pennsylvania State Food Purchase
Program, grants, Philabundance and other sources.

Over 23,000 (12%) Jewish households in our region
face food insecurity, with 8% of households reporting
that they receive SNAP benefits. Approximately one in
seven Jewish households are living in or near poverty,
defined as living at or below 200% of the federal poverty
line. Food insecurity is significantly higher among those
at or below poverty thresholds, with 46% of Jewish
households that are at or below 200% of the federal
poverty index identified as food insecure, strongly
suggesting that SNAP and other public food assistance
are not meeting their needs. Also notable is that one in
five households (19%) with children is food insecure.

Other statistics:
• Fifteen percent of Jewish households are receiving
some sort of public benefit, including SSI, SSDI,
PACE or SNAP.

• More than 20% of adults ages 18 to 39 are poor or
near poor, along with 14% of adults age 65 or older.

JEWISHEXPONENT.COM DONATION DROP-OFF
Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Friday: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

MITZVAH FOOD PROGRAM CENTER CITY
Jewish Community Services Building
2100 Arch St.

Philadelphia, PA 19103
Call for information 215-832-0815
DISTRIBUTION WALK-IN HOURS
First and third Thursday of the month: 5-6:30 p.m.

• One in four households in Delaware County and
one in five households in Philadelphia County
are poor or near poor.

• Thirty-one percent of Jewish households that
emigrated from Russia or the FSU are at or below
200% of the poverty line (poor or near poor).

For anyone in need of food support this holiday
season, or if you’d like to drop off a donation, the
Mitzvah Food Program pantries can be found at
the following locations. To make a financial contri-
bution or to learn more, visit jewishphilly.org/
resources/mitzvah-food-program. MITZVAH FOOD PROGRAM
OLD YORK ROAD
Beth Sholom Congregation
8231 Old York Road
Elkins Park, PA 19027
Call for information 215-832-0509
DISTRIBUTION WALK-IN HOURS
Every Wednesday: 1-3 p.m.

Every Wednesday: 6-6:30 p.m. for Montgomery
County clients only.

DONATION DROP-OFF
Monday-Thursday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Friday: 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

MITZVAH FOOD PROGRAM MAINLINE
JFCS – Barbara and Harvey Brodsky
Enrichment Center
345 Montgomery Ave.

Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
Call for information 215-832-0831
DISTRIBUTION WALK-IN HOURS
Every Thursday, 1:30–3:30 p.m.

DONATION DROP-OFF
Please call 215-832-0509 prior to donating.

MITZVAH FOOD PROGRAM NORTHEAST
KleinLife 10100 Jamison Ave.

Philadelphia, PA 19116
Call for information 215-832-0620
MITZVAH FOOD PROGRAM
LOWER BUCKS COUNTY
Congregation Tifereth Israel of Lower Bucks County
2909 Bristol Road
Bensalem, PA 19020
Call for information 215-832-0815
DISTRIBUTION WALK-IN HOURS
Tuesday: 1-6:30 p.m. walkthrough clients.

SmartChoice remote orders must make an
appointment. Wednesday: 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. SmartChoice remote
orders must make an appointment. Russian language
assistance available.

Thursday: 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. SmartChoice remote
orders must make an appointment. Russian
language assistance available.

Fridays: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. SmartChoice remote orders
must make an appointment.

DISTRIBUTION WALK-IN HOURS
Every Tuesday: 4-5:30 p.m.

DONATION DROP-OFF
Monday–Friday: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

DONATION DROP-OFF
Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

JEWISH EXPONENT
NOVEMBER 26, 2020
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