JCC food pantry seeks help in assisting families in need prepare for Passover

Increase in demand is straining the JCC food pantry’s ability to serve. Donations of food and funds are needed to help those less fortunate

enjoy Passover.

Imagine being in the unenviable position of choosing between filling up your car or putting food on your family’s Passover table. For many in the Five Towns community— including senior citizens faced with the decision to buy medicine or food — that it a sad and grim reality.

The still-sluggish economy and higher prices for nearly everything, especially gasoline and home heating oil, has forced many of our neighbors to make these difficult choices every day. For 267 Five Towns families faced with these difficulties, the JCC of the Greater Five Towns’ Kol Ditzrich kosher food pantry in Woodmere is providing some welcome relief.  

A sharp rise in the number of families accessing the food pantry is stretching its ability to serve those in need, and the demand is growing. The pantry, which saw a major increase over last year in the number families accessing the community resource, saw five new families last week looking for help. Many of those recently visiting the pantry at 1012 Central Avenue were looking for the typical items needed for the traditional Passover Seder.

“Passover is a family-oriented holiday, a time of togetherness and it’s heartbreaking to know that some of our neighbors may not even be able to afford to buy something as simple as matzot,” said Rina Shkolnik, Executive Director, of the JCC of the Greater Five Towns.   “We are seeing more families and seniors coming to our food pantry for help and their stories are similar and very sad.”  Many of those who rely on the pantry for food are not eligible for government assistance such as food stamps.  A report by Feeding America and Island Harvest revealed that among 117,000 people in Nassau County identified at risk for hunger, sixty-two percent do not fall within the eligibility guidelines for help from programs such as the SNAP program (formerly food stamps).

Ellen Warshall, coordinator of the JCC’s kosher food pantry tells the story of the family of five in which both parents, professionals with college degrees, lost their jobs. While they ended up eventually finding work, their debt had mounted and their new salaries were not nearly what they had been earning, putting them in a tight financial situation. “They told us that the pantry had become not only a lifeline in providing much needed, food for their families, but it was a blessing because of the kindness of the staff and volunteers who helped them cope with their new situation,” said Ms. Warshall.

The pantry receives support from UJA-Federation of NY and several community-based organizations like the Five Towns Community Chest, local synagogues and schools, but is largely funded through the generosity of individual donations.

As a mitzvah to help those struggling enjoy a warm and blessed Passover holiday, the JCC of the Greater Five Towns is reaching out to the community for monetary gifts or donations of non-perishable kosher for Pessach food items to help our less fortunate neighbors during this special time of year.  Among the kosher food items gratefully accepted are frozen kosher poultry, kosher for Passover food items. Personal care items, such as diapers, deodorant, toothpaste and shampoo are welcome, too. To drop off food or personal care items call the Kol Ditzrich kosher food pantry at 295-5678. For monetary contributions, please make checks payable to the JCC of the Greater Five Towns Food Pantry, 207 Grove Avenue, Cedarhurst, NY 11516. 

Working together, your generous donations to the food pantry will allow our less fortunate neighbors enjoy the warmth, happiness and the spirit of Passover. The JCC wishes everyone in the community a Happy Passover and thanks you for your support of what has become a vital community resource for those facing difficult times.

About The JCC of the Greater Five Towns

The Jewish Community Center of the Greater Five Towns is a vital community-based resource that meets the ever changing needs of a diverse community through a wide range of educational, enrichment and social services programs.  The JCC serves over 16,000 people from the very youngest to the senior most citizens in the communities of Cedarhurst, East Rockaway, Far Rockaway, Hewlett, Inwood, Lawrence, Lynbrook, Malverne, Valley Stream, West Hempstead, and Woodmere. Founded in 1980, the JCC is a beneficiary agency of the UJA-Federation of NY. More information can be found at www.fivetownsjcc.org.