JFS asks community to ‘Help Fill the Cart” during Feinstein Challenge

Imagine just for a moment, children and older adults with not enough food to eat. Now, imagine having to choose between paying the rent, buying food or getting your prescription refilled. Too many people in our community are faced with this difficult choice every day.

How can you make a difference?

Every year, from March 1 through April 30, Jewish Family Services teams up with the Feinstein Challenge $1 Million Food Drive, a national hunger awareness campaign, by collecting nonperishable items, canned goods and cash donations for the Pearlman and Darden Restaurants Foundation Pantries.

The event is sponsored by Allan Shawn Feinstein, a Rhode Island philanthropist who donates $1 million to the cause. Based on the amount of food collected, or cash donations made to the pantries during this time, participating agencies receive a percentage of the pledged money, which helps JFS purchase additional food for its pantries.

In 2011 the JFS pantries provided food for nearly 100,000 meals to those in need in the Greater Orlando area and the demand to feed the hungry continues to grow. A fact not commonly known is that on a daily basis, JFS receives a minimum of 120 calls for help. The agency cannot handle all of the requests for assistance.

JFS is reaching out to the community to “Help Fill the Cart.”  JFS says, conduct a food drive in your neighborhood or office and help supply the groceries for a family in need. JFS will be happy to provide you with all the supplies: a collection bin, flyers and posters.

Did you know that the power of every $1 donated to the pantry has the purchase capability to buy $6 worth of food?  You may also drop off individual donations of food or cash at the JFS Winter Park office at 2100 Lee Road.

To order supplies or for more information on how to make a difference, contact JFS at 407-644-7593, ext. 243 or email adriennecooperman@jfsorlando.org.

Read this entire story in the print edition of the Heritage; call 407-834-8787 for more information.