Shining a Light On Nonprofits Making an Impact

Photos Courtesy of Jewish Family Service

For 153 years, Jewish Family Service (JFS) has supported the community through its programs, including the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Food Pantry in Denver. The pantry provides five to seven days’ worth of balanced food—fresh produce, dairy, protein, bread and shelf-stable items—along with baby supplies, toiletries and monthly pet food when available. It is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and also distributes food commodities to older adults through partnerships with Food Bank of the Rockies and CSFP, the federal Commodity Supplemental Food Program.

“The people served through JFS reflect the diversity of the community. Clients include single parents working to support children, two-parent households facing job loss or reduced hours, older adults on fixed incomes, and individuals living with disabilities or chronic health conditions. Many clients are employed but living paycheck to paycheck, often in lower-wage industries,” says Jessica Zeidman, JFS chief advancement officer.

“Since SNAP benefits were paused, JFS pantries have seen a 13 percent increase in visits from existing clients and a 40 percent increase in new clients,” Zeidman says. “We are getting hundreds of calls a day from panicked individuals asking about hours, eligibility and process. JFS is responding through the distribution of gift cards, increasing our pantry hours, and increasing our orders of fruit, vegetables, dairy and protein products. JFS remains committed to helping our community weather this crisis, just as we have done for the past 153 years.”

jewishfamilyservice.org
3201 S. Tamarc Drive, Denver
303-597-5000