The Jewish Federation is devoted to strengthening Israel and supporting Jewish concerns. But as the great Rabbi Hillel said, “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am not for others, what am I? And if not now, when?”

His words inspire us to operate the Jerry Doliner Food Bank that feeds 3,223 disadvantaged families in our community each year and provide 8,300 student and teachers receive backpacks and supplies, regardless of race or religion. In fact, 98 percent of the people we help locally are not of the Jewish faith. We help our Jewish people locally, but because there is not a large population of Jewish people living here, we feel it is our duty to assist needy people, regardless of race or religion.

Among our ongoing goals:

• Engage and enhance the local community’s interest and support of the state of Israel 
• Provide unique opportunities and events for the local Jewish community to come together for events and holidays, including the Allan & Marilyn Nye Holiday Luncheons
• Strengthen the Jewish family through engagement with PJ Library and cooperative events with our area’s synagogues
• Improve the quality of life for local Jewish seniors by sponsoring holiday and other events
• Actively participate in the greatest Jewish work of “tikkun olam” — repairing or healing the world — by providing social services to the members of our community in addition to those in need around the world

LAST YEAR’S STATISTICS

The following assistance was provided free by the Social Service Council of the Jewish Federation of Volusia & Flagler Counties to local residents, regardless of race or religion.

• 3,223 families received 1 ½ week’s worth of food including meat, fresh produce, cereal, pastries as well as a must-have commodity – toilet paper, from the Jerry Doliner Food Bank. When available dairy products and juice are given out. Dog and cat food, toiletries, and diapers are also given out upon request.
• 8,300 elementary, middle, and high schools students and teachers received quality age appropriate school supplies and backpacks.
• 250 people came for clothing.
• 100 people received household goods and furniture.
• 58 families came for help with electric and rental bills.
• 25 people came for wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, shower seats, and other medical items.
• 572 families received holiday food baskets for Easter, Passover, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas.
• 274 young children received toy or gift cards for the holidays.
• 60 elderly were given gifts for the Jewish holiday of Chanukah.

During the pandemic we were able stay open and meet the growth in demand. This was due to the generosity of our donors and our wonderful and hardworking volunteers. Now, due to inflation, we are not only experiencing supply and cost issues, but also seeing a lot more new people on a daily basis, many that have not had to ask for assistance before.

We continue to need your support, but we must thank everyone who has previously contributed to the Jewish Federation’s Jerry Doliner Food Bank. We could not do the work we do it if weren’t for you – our donors.

The work of the Jerry Doliner Food Bank of the Jewish Federation of Volusia & Flagler Counties represents both our community and our Jewish community’s most generous tradition – “to give to others even in the most difficult times.”