Programs
Community
Purim Mitzvah Project Will Address Hunger
“Make Hunger Our Haman” will be the theme of the 14th
annual Purim Mitzvah project coordinated by the Milwaukee Jewish Council for
Community Relations, scheduled for February 14 - 25, 2008. "Matanot
L'Evyonim," Gifts to the Needy, is one of the four designated mitzvot of
Purim. To fulfill this mitzvah,
Milwaukee
area, synagogues, schools, and organizations are being asked to collect
non-perishable food for the Jewish Community Pantry to respond to the increasing
need for emergency food assistance.
For additional Purim Mitzvah Project resources, click here.
High priority items for the collection include cereal,
spaghetti, tomato sauce, mac & cheese, soup, canned vegetables and fruit,
rice, tuna-fish, crackers, cookies, dish soap, bar soap, pasta, and jelly.
In addition to donating food, community members may support the Pantry by
purchasing tribute cards or making a cash donation.
All contributions will be used to support the work of the Jewish
Community Pantry. Volunteers are
also needed to help sort and deliver the donated items.
Milwaukee
is now the
7th poorest city in the nation, and ranks 4th in the poverty rate
for children. With the increase in
poverty, emergency food pantry usage is also growing.
Children make up half the clients at pantries.
Over 40% of food pantry clients are working – yet still need to depend
on a food pantry for basic necessities.
The Jewish Community Pantry has been serving
Milwaukee
families for over 30 years. It
provides the only Jewish representation in the Emergency Pantry Network of the
Hunger Task Force. The
mission of the Pantry is grounded in our Jewish values and our commitment to Tzedakah
and Tikun Olam, repair of the world. The Jewish Community Pantry provides
a Jewish response to poverty in the central city while respecting the kavod
(dignity) of the recipients. It
is funded by donations and food drives from the Jewish community as well as food
provided once a month by the Hunger Task Force.
The Pantry is operated by staff from the Harry & Rose Samson Family
Jewish Community Center and a
dedicated group of Jewish community volunteers.
It is the only pantry to have a section of kosher products, including
kosher chickens.
For additional information, to volunteer, or to purchase
tribute cards (3 for $18.00) contact the Milwaukee Jewish Council for Community
Relations at 414-390-5781.
For more information: