Curbside community food drives planned for this month
Freedoms are returning from pandemic lockdown, but one thing has not changed — hunger in our community.
Jewish Family Services continues to take the lead ensuring people facing food insecurity have somewhere to turn. Through the two locations of its food pantry, more than 900 families are receiving food as well personal care items, cleaning supplies and pet food. But community donations are needed to keep the pantry shelves stocked.
The Rabbinical Association of Greater Kansas City and area congregations are hosting monthly community food drives to help stock the two JFS pantry locations. For May, the pantry’s most-needed items are plastic jars of peanut butter, cereal and deodorant.
May food drives are:
May 13: 4 – 5:30 p.m., at the JFS food pantry in Brookside, 425 E. 63rd St., Kansas City, Missouri. Donors should pull into a designated parking space on the west side of the building and call the number listed; a volunteer will pick up items directly from cars.
May 16: 10 a.m. to noon, 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.
As a thank you for contributing products during these drives or anytime during the month of May, one donor will receive an annual membership to The J. This membership is valued at $1,500.
Donations to the JFS food pantry in Overland Park can also be dropped off in designated barrels in the lobby of the Jewish Community Campus during business hours. Donations to the JFS food pantry in Brookside may be dropped off by appointment only by calling (816) 333-1172.
After dropping off donations, donors should register their donations at (https://www.jfskc.org/inkind/). Only donors who register their items will be considered for The J membership.
One in four individuals receiving assistance from the JFS food pantry also benefit from one or more additional human services the agency provides. JFS serves the entire metro area with 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 www.jfskc.org.
