(Courtesy of UJA Federation NY) UJA-Federation of New York, in partnership with HOPE Community Services, Feeding Westchester, and Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, has opened the first kosher food pantry in Westchester County. The HOPE Community Services Kosher Food Pantry is expected to serve approximately 100 kosher households in need in its first year.

The pantry, located at 50 Washington Ave., in New Rochelle, offers Westchester residents free, pre-packaged bags that are available for pick up every other Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon. Delivery is available for homebound residents as well.

“This pantry is a game- hanger for local kosher residents,” said Eric S. Goldstein, CEO of UJA-Federation of New York. “We thank HOPE Community Services, Feeding Westchester, and Met Council for opening this pantry in Westchester. Individuals and families who struggle all year round or have been impacted by the pandemic now have a new local resource to bring home nutritious, essential kosher food.”

Through grants from UJA, HOPE Community Services expanded its facility to create and operate a separate kosher space to carry fresh produce supplied by Feeding Westchester and non-perishable items supplied by Met Council, including grape juice, canned fruit, canned vegetables, flour, pasta, tuna, beans, and granola bars, as well as select dairy foods. Funding was approved by UJA’s Westchester Advisory Committee, which is composed of Westchester residents who identify needs within the county’s Jewish community.