(Courtesy of JFCS) On October 31, Young Israel of Teaneck’s (YIOT) Bat Mitzvah Group partnered with Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Northern New Jersey (JFCS) to hold a food drive for JFCS’s Corner Market Kosher Food Pantry. There were more than 25 people in attendance, including the Bat Mitzvah group, parents, grandparents and leader Rebbetzin Chani Krohn. They collected and brought dozens of bags and boxes of food to JFCS’s Corner Market Kosher Food Pantry, located in the heart of Teaneck (1485 Teaneck Road).
The group donated items such as paper towels, cookies, pasta, tuna fish, Ziplock bags, peanut butter, jelly, crackers, canned goods and apple sauce, and stocked them on the Corner Market shelves. It was inspiring to see so many young people getting involved in giving back to the community, and the generous contributions by this group of young women will be put to good use, ensuring no one in our community goes hungry.
YIOT’s Bat Mitzvah Group meets once a month to take on a different chesed project, but during the pandemic, these projects were halted. Coincidentally, the last chesed project that the YIOT’s Bat Mitzvah Group completed before the pandemic hit was in the JFCS Food Pantry on March 8, 2020.
Now back on track, this year, Rebbetzin Krohn includes seventh graders as well as sixth graders, so that the girls who missed out last year can still share in these meaningful experiences. As was the case when the group last attended in 2020, everyone had a rewarding and positive experience, and we cannot wait until they join us again! While working hard stocking the shelves and breaking down boxes, both the children and their families learned how the JFCS Food Pantry operates, and saw a glimpse into where their donations were going. It was a unique and educational experience for everyone. As one participant remarked, “I didn’t realize how many services you offered right here in Teaneck.”
JFCS strives to provide a helping hand when times are tough, and food drives like this help the agency continue to play that integral role. Food Pantry appointments are spread out (no more than one visit per 15-minute period) to ensure the utmost privacy and confidentiality for all who utilize the service. Since July 2020, the Corner Market Kosher Food Pantry has served more than 1,500 families from Bergen and Passaic counties. Food and money donations, such as those from the YIOT’s Bat Mitzvah Group, enable JFCS to keep its Kosher Food Pantry continually open to all who need it.
If you’d like to partner with JFCS to organize a food drive or make a donation, please reach out to Michele Wellikoff, chief development officer. at: [email protected] or 201-837-9090.
