What is Jewish Family Service Food Pantry?
Jewish Family Service Food Pantry is the source for free kosher food, personal and household care items for individuals in the Greater Cincinnati Jewish community experiencing financial difficulties.  In addition, Jewish Family Service (JFS) provides coaching and support for clients of the pantry to help improve their situation.  Support may include referral to Jewish Vocational Service (JVS), Big Brothers/Big Sisters, JFS Counseling or Senior Adult Programs, Jobs and Family Services, Legal Aid, and other resources in the community.

Why Do We Have a Kosher Food Pantry in the Cincinnati Area?
Based on federal poverty statistics and studies of poverty within Jewish communities, we realize that as many as 9% of Jewish households in the Cincinnati area could be in need of food assistance.  Many are isolated from their families and the community.  Shame of their situation, mental illness and other physical disabilities hold them back from seeking help.  When they do come forward, it is vital that this community provide a safety net for them.

How Does the Pantry Operate?
Jewish Family Service staff and community volunteers maintain the food pantry in the lower level of Golf Manor Synagogue, accessed via a confidential rear doorway.  Food is donated to the pantry through congregations and other Jewish-affiliated groups.  We also purchase kosher food in bulk from the warehouse of the FreestoreFoodbank and maintain an inventory of non-perishables, fresh produce, eggs, milk powder, kosher meat, chicken and fish, bread, snack foods and household and personal care items.  Clients “shop” at scheduled times during one week of each month choosing their items in the same manner as shopping in a grocery store.  If a pantry recipient cannot come to the pantry to shop, we have volunteers available to deliver.  If a pantry recipient needs food on another day of the month, we meet them at the pantry or deliver food at a time that is mutually convenient.  The pantry helps people when they are in need and strives to serve everyone in a confidential and dignified manner.  Each client speaks with a JFS case manager who works to empower the client to make improvements in his situation.

How is the Pantry Funded?
We receive funding from Jewish Federation, Mazon: The Jewish Response to Hunger, and donations from many individual contributors, congregations, B’nai Mitzvah families (through our Centerpiece for Tzedakah program), and food retailers including Bigg’s, and Marx Bagels.  Initial seed money for the pantry came from The Helen Steiner Rice Foundation.  We actively seek additional long term funding for this project.