Food insecurity continues to grow in Kansas City, and the Jewish Family Services Food Pantry is on the front lines helping hundreds of people each month.
In order to keep the shelves stocked at the two locations of JFS’ Food Pantry, the Rabbinical Association of Greater Kansas City and area congregations host monthly food drives. With the combination of COVID-19, donations are needed more than ever.
During March, the focus of the JFS Community Food Drive is personal hygiene and Passover items. (NOTE: Passover begins Saturday evening, March 27). Personal hygiene items include shampoo, conditioner, lotion, body wash, bar soap. Passover items needed include grape juice, matzah ball soup mix and Passover cake mixes.
The next drop off is 10 a.m. to noon on March 21, at the Jewish Community Campus, 5801 W. 115th St., Overland Park. Drop off will be in the front circle drive where JFS volunteers and staff will take items directly from cars.
The JFS Food Pantry is monthly serving more than 900 families and their pets from its two locations, and the numbers continue to grow. For Passover, JFS will provide150 families with appropriate items to enjoy a traditional holiday meal. JFS relies on food drives and donations for 50% of the products it distributes. One in four individuals receiving assistance from the JFS Food Pantry also benefit from one or more additional services the agency provides.
If you miss the opportunity to donate during the Community Food Drive, donations can be delivered at the JFS barrel in the lobby of the Jewish Community Campus during business hours. Donors can also make a financial contribution to purchase items for the pantry at jfskc.org.
In addition to its Food Pantry, JFS provides other essential human services for people facing challenges in everyday life or times of crisis, regardless of faith, age, culture or lifestyle. For more information, visit jfskc.org.
