(Courtesy of JFS MetroWest) Through a very generous donation from KAVOD and the Seed the Dream Foundation, Jewish Family Service of MetroWest NJ created and delivered “care packages” to 155 Holocaust survivors in our community. JFS staff worked tirelessly on finding vendors for much-needed supplies for the group. Packages included toilet paper, paper towels, tissues, napkins, various cleaning supplies, wipes, personal care items and shelf staple food such as oatmeal, beans, tuna and soup. A team of 50 volunteers helped deliver the care packages last week.

“This is a very resilient group but [they] have been particularly hard hit because of their age and unfamiliarity with technology,” commented Susan Schechter, JFS director of older adults and disability services. Schechter further shared, “Food insecurity has been a big issue since the start of the pandemic. We have had volunteers grocery shopping and delivering Shabbat dinners since the beginning but are grateful to now be able to provide hard-to-find and much-needed items. Staff and volunteers have been making telephone calls to survivors on a weekly basis to check in with them and ensure they are coping as best as they can. Many have expressed how much they miss our Café Europa socialization program. Beginning June 16, we will have our meetings remotely through Zoom and the telephone. Our group is looking forward to getting together once again.”

One of the survivors, Mrs. E, shared, “I want to thank you for the packages that were delivered to me. Thank you JFS and everyone who was involved. There are a lot of good things that I can really use. It is greatly appreciated.”