Food Distribution Center

To combat widespread poverty within the Jaffa area, the Jaffa Institute’s Food Distribution Program targets hunger and malnutrition in the home by providing food parcels to those in desperate need. Through close cooperation with the Tel Aviv – Jaffa Department of Welfare and Social Services the program identifies poverty stricken families in our community.

The bi-monthly food parcels contain staples such as flour, oil, sugar, and tuna in addition to pasta, canned vegetables, and other necessities. During Passover, Shavuot, and Rosh Hashana, the parcels contain gift certificates to local grocery stores for families to purchase proteins such as meat and dairy products. The food packages may also contain holiday-specific necessities so that every family has the ability to observe – and to observe with dignity.  Special items are included if an individual in the family has medical dietary restrictions, or if there is a newborn baby in the home.

With the help of 1,000 volunteers and a full-time staff, the Jaffa Institute’s Food Distribution Center delivers vital food parcels to 350 families twice a month. During Rosh Hashanah and Passover, the Center’s distribution list triples to over 1,000 families.  The distribution of the food parcels not only addresses the desperate hunger of these individuals, but also bolsters their emotional state, as they know that someone cares.