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WHO WE ARE

Alpert JFS is committed to ending food insecurity and hunger in our Jewish community in a respectful and dignified way. We provide kosher food to vulnerable Jewish individuals, families, seniors and Holocaust survivors in our area who face food insecurity, embodying the value of Tikkun Olam by supporting the most basic of human needs.

Alpert JFS currently has two kosher food pantries, with locations in West Palm Beach and Boynton Beach. The pantries provide non-perishable kosher food, household necessities and personal hygiene products. Alpert JFS also assists with holiday meal deliveries for Rosh Hashanah, Thanksgiving and Passover.

We provide comprehensive services including mental health counseling, vocational services, and other child and family services.

If you or someone you know is in need of the Alpert JFS Kosher Food Pantry, use one of our confidential contacts:

C.A.L.L. Service

561-684-1991

46% of Palm Beach County households struggle to make ends meet. 

– United Way of Palm Beach County’s 2020 ALICE* Report for Palm Beach County

* ALICE is an acronym which stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. It represents the growing number of individuals and families who are working, but are unable to afford the basic necessities of housing, food, childcare, health care, and transportation.

WHAT IS FOOD INSECURITY

Food insecurity describes a household’s inability to provide enough nutritious food for every person to live an active and healthy life.

The Scope of the Problem

According to the United Way of Palm Beach County’s 2020 ALICE Report for Palm Beach County and 2019 Community Study from Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County:

  • 12% of households are living below the Federal poverty level; and
  • 34% are ALICE Households; they are living above the Federal poverty level but not able to make ends meet
  • 31% of people aged 18-34 described themselves as poor, nearly poor, or just getting along.
  • Among 35-49-year-olds, 54% saying they had insufficient savings for three months of expenses.
  • Alpert JFS estimates that there are 15,000 Jewish ALICE households in our catchment area (Boynton Beach north to Jupiter).

FOOD INSECURITY MYTHS

Below are some common myths. Click on the (+) icon to reveal the facts. 

FACT: Although hunger and food insecurity are closely related, they are distinct concepts. Hunger refers to a personal, physical sensation of discomfort, while food insecurity describes a household’s inability to provide enough nutritious food for every person to live an active and healthy life. Individuals and working families across America face countless situations that can result in food insecurity and hunger; for example, lay-offs at work, medical/dental expenses, unexpected car maintenance or other unforeseeable circumstances can suddenly force a family to choose between buying food and paying bills.

FACT: Contrary to popular belief, food insecurity and obesity can, and often does, affect the same individuals. Food insecure people are at a higher risk for obesity because of limited income, limited resources, and limited access to healthcare. Finding affordable and healthy food options can be challenging for people who must choose between food they can afford and food that is nutritious.

FACT: There is no single face of food insecurity! One common misconception is food insecurity only impacts those who are experiencing homelessness or unemployment. This is not true! Food insecurity does not discriminate. One "bad month" can be enough to plunge a household into food insecurity making it a challenge to stretch its dollars far enough. Some people might be experiencing food insecurity for the first time, while others might have been dealing with it longer.

FACT: Jewish economic “problems” have long been ignored because of the pervasive social stigma. High housing costs, rising food prices, and the Covid-19 pandemic have exacerbated food insecurity in Jewish households in Palm Beach County. Sometimes food insecurity hides behind doors of nice houses with mortgages in default, or the air conditioning turned off, or all the income going to other necessities, leaving little or no money for food. Sometimes it hides behind the stoic faces of parents or grandparents who skip meals to protect their children or grandchildren from hunger.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Contribute non-perishable food, household necessities, personal hygiene products, or items from our Amazon Wish List.

Organize a food drive, a collection of personal hygiene products, a mitzvah project (B’nei Mitzvah, community group) or food basket donation project in lieu of bimah flowers.

Volunteer to sort food and shelve inventory at the kosher food pantry or deliver food packages.

Donate a one-time or recurring donation to support food and supplies for individuals and families. You can also donate using Amazon Smile.

IN THE MEDIA

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Apartment program residents assemble holiday baskets.
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Margie Feldman, Belinda Lasky and Zelda Mason thank Steve Horowitz from Temple Emanu-EL for their donation.
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Students from Temple Israel Religious school visit the Alpert JFS Food Pantry to learn more about our program.
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Temple Israel donates food and gift cards to the Alpert JFS food pantry.
Meyer Prep Students Hold Food Drive for Alpert JFS Kosher Food Pantry.
WPBF 25 - Alpert JFS Temple Israel visit AJFS Food Pantry
Apartment Residents Help Prepare Thanksgiving Baskets
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National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW Palm Beach Section) and Alpert JFS partner for the Soup for Shabbat Program.
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Congresswoman Lois Frankel check presentation of $350,000 to expand the Boynton Beach food pantry.

If you are interested in our food programs, please contact Belinda Lasky, Director of Volunteer Leadership at 561-713-1893 or [email protected]. For more information about an endowment and/or naming opportunity for the food pantry, please contact Kelley Whiter, J.D., Chief Development Officer at 561-713-1886 or [email protected]

©2024 Ferd & Gladys Alpert Jewish Family & Children's Service of Palm Beach County, Inc. All Rights Reserved.