JFS needs the community's help

Jewish Family Services Orlando programs have helped countless families for decades are in danger of being shuttered and President Philip Flynn III is heartsick. Over 20,000 people each year rely on JFS's Family of Services. These vital programs keep those most vulnerable in the community from homelessness with the Family Stabilization Program, address food insecurity through the Pearlman Food Pantry, provide mental health counseling through the Counseling, Growth, & Development program, and transport low-income seniors and disabled adults with the RIDE program, according to Flynn.

Last year, the Pantry provided food equivalent to 372,000 meals from over 275,000 pounds of food, which is one of the most in Central Florida. JFS purchases almost 90 percent of its food through the Second Harvest Food Bank, where $1 equals at least $8 of purchasing power, partner grocers that include Publix, Sprouts, and other local grocery stores.

Flynn expects that the need for all JFS services will continue to grow exponentially as the economic uncertainty grows, especially with the delay in grant funding for our core programs. Federal funding cuts and freezes mean basic needs for an increasing number of Americans will result in higher instances of homelessness and food insecurity, that according to Flynn, increases the need for all our services.

The Emergency Food Assistance Program, a federal program that helps supplement food for people with low income by providing them with emergency food assistance at no cost, is currently experiencing a funding freeze. JFS was notified of the freeze on April 7 via email, bringing an abrupt disruption to its food supply. USDA also cancelled two federal programs that allowed food banks to buy fresh food directly from local farmers - the Local Food Purchase Assistance program, which would have funded about $500 million this year for food banks.

As of last week, the JFS food program served about 45 households per day, Monday through Thursday. In comparison, in 2019 JFS's Pearlman Pantry served 22 clients per day. Flynn fears that without additional funding sources JFS could run out of supplied food, and they will not be able to provide food to those who have relied on the organization's assistance.

In Central Florida, food insecurity has been rising significantly in recent years at about the national average - from 10.2 percent of American households (13.5 million households) in 2021 to 13.5 percent (18 million) in 2023. The most recent data shows that hunger rates are continuing to increase.

For JFS, the cancellation and pauses of the programs means food banks (locally that is Second Harvest) expect to offer less produce, meat and other staples in the coming weeks and months, leaving scarcer food for those reliant on free supplies that helped stave off hunger.

Flynn is hoping the community will help with financial assistance. While appreciative, "the individual food donations don't make the impact we urgently need right now," said Flynn. "We purchase food in pallets these days and the processing of grocery bag donations (checking expiration dates, etc.) almost brings our operation to a stop. Financial unrestricted contributions provides the greatest impact for the most people across all of our programs."

To find out how you can help, please contact Aaron Bernstein, director of Development & Marketing (407) 644-7593 ext. 234 or visit the website at JFSorlando.org.