Did you know that there is a food pantry in Teaneck for Jewish and non-Jewish families and individuals? The pantry is run by Jewish Family and Children’s Services (JFCS) and is located on Teaneck Road (near the Kosher Dunkin Donuts), at 1485 Teaneck Road. It serves nearly 200 people each month! There is also another location in Fair Lawn, but the Fair Lawn food pantry does not have a refrigerator or freezer.
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit the food pantry for a chesed for my bat mitzvah. A food pantry provides food, toiletries and cleaning products, free of charge, to those who cannot buy their own food or toiletries. JFCS never asks those in need why they are in need.
I was so upset to see that many of the shelves are pretty much empty. JFCS relies on donations from individuals and some stores, such as Trader Joe’s and Target. Though JFCS is very appreciative of the stores’ donations, it is not enough. For example, there was only one grape juice on the juice shelf, and two cans of tuna. We, as a community, can help by donating a few items each month so that no shelves are ever empty. It is pretty easy to make that happen: When you are at the supermarket, just throw in an extra item, just one extra item each time. They collect toiletries, kosher and non-kosher food and household products. Some items that the food pantry needs are canned fruits and vegetables, canned tuna, peanut butter, dry cereal, salad dressing, snacks, shampoo, soap, detergent and household cleaners. If each reader commits to contributing just one item each week or each month, the food pantry would not have any empty shelves.
I am trying to increase awareness for people, so they can learn about the pantry, and get more people to donate to the food pantry so no one is ever hungry in our community.
It is really easy to make a donation: Just drop off the item(s) at the JFCS office, 1485 Teaneck Road in Teaneck. Together, let’s make sure that those who are in need are able to get all of the food and supplies that their families need.
By Julie Saadatmand
Julie Saadatmand is a sixth grader at Yavneh Academy. Her bat mitzvah is planned for September 2019.
