Last Minute Donations Give Families In Need Thanksgiving Hope

This release was sent to Patch by the JCC.

A last minute donation of 100 chickens and 70 turkeys gave hope to local families in need who access the JCC’s Kol Ditzrich kosher food pantry.

The generosity of Rachel and Issac Weisenfeld of Wise Organic Pastures helped make Thanksgiving more hopeful for those struggling through their donation of 100 free-range, organically fed kosher chickens. Larry Krietenberg’s gift of 70 kosher turkeys similarly helped several local families who may not have otherwise enjoyed a warm, traditional holiday-style meal. Individual donations of chickens and turkeys throughout the month helped fill in the gap so that everyone served by the kosher food pantry could enjoy Thanksgiving.

The troubled economy coupled with unemployment, higher prices for gasoline, home heating oil, groceries and other essential items has forced many in our community and across Long Island to turn to food pantries and other feeding programs. Those resources are becoming long-term solutions for hard-pressed families and senior citizens. The need continues to grow and an additional 13 families relied on the JCC’s food pantry in the past month, which now serves over 200 needy families through the Five Towns.

Many of the families accessing the JCC’s kosher food pantry are not eligible for food stamps or other assistance and the pantry at 1012 Central Avenue in Woodmere has become a lifeline, providing or supplementing daily meals with non-perishable kosher food products.

The kosher food pantry is supported by volunteers from the JCC, community members, local schools and synagogues and area supermarkets.

The JCC appeals to the generosity of our neighbors to help those struggling during these difficult times. Monetary contributions or donations of non-perishable kosher food, frozen kosher poultry, canned fish, pasta, breakfast cereal, soup and shelf-stable juices are gratefully accepted. To leaner how you can help us, help our neighbors in need, please call 516-569-6733 or visit: www.fivetownsjcc.org.