Food Insecurity

This is Our Sacred Responsibility

Despite being the wealthiest nation in the world, nearly 40 million Americans—including 17 million children—face food insecurity. The root causes of hunger are complex, ranging from wage stagnation and unemployment to the lack of access to affordable, high-quality food in underserved neighborhoods, as well as the erosion of government support for food assistance programs.

In Jewish tradition, we are called to care for the neediest among us. At Shir Ami, we respond to the pressing issue of hunger in Bucks County through various initiatives, including food drives and meal services for those in need. Our Social Justice/Tikkun Olam committee remains dedicated to raising awareness about food insecurity right here in our own backyard.

We invite you to participate in our ongoing efforts to combat hunger. Whether by donating to our Food Bank, taking part in Jewish Relief Agency (JRA) events, or preparing meals for Caring for Friends, your contribution makes a difference. Together, we can continue to fulfill our communal responsibilities.

This past High Holiday season, our community collected over 15,000 pounds of food, which was distributed through our Food Bank to various agencies supporting those in need throughout Bucks County. From our youngest children in the Early Learning Center to our senior adults, every member of our community played a role—donating food and money, sorting donations, and assisting with distribution. With your help, we can continue this vital work.

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“Tzedakah exalts a nation”
(PROVERBS 14:34)

THE SHIR AMI FOOD BANK is supported throughout the year by donations from our Early Learning Center, Religious School and our Congregational community. In addition to these generous donations, our three annual Food Drives insures a nutritious and well balanced nonperishable food inventory. Details for collection points and times are posted throughout the year.

The Shir Ami food bank was founded by Elaine and Ed Shapiro in 2008 and is open on the first Monday of each month (unless that date is either a national holiday or a Jewish holiday). In the latter case, the food bank will open on the second Monday of the month. Food bank volunteer hours are 3-4:30pm on those days.

Food donations are accepted in the outside receptacles at all entrances, Mondays-Fridays, 9am-3pm, or whenever the synagogue or religious school is open.
The majority of the food bank clients are local food pantries and social service agencies in the area.
Agencies that receive monthly donations from Shir Ami include A Woman's Place, Bristol Borough Food pantry, Emergency Relief Association, and many more.

If individual members of Shir Ami find themselves in need of the food bank they can contact the synagogue office at 215-968-3400 to set up an appointment. All visits to the food bank are confidential.

The food bank stocks only non-perishable, non-expired food items, paper goods, and limited personal care items such as toothpaste and deodorants. We rely on donations in the form of food items, supermarket gift cards, or direct financial contributions. [CLICK HERE TO MAKE A DONATION]

In general, the food bank is always in need of the following: cereals, canned or jarred fruits, condiments (salad dressings, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard), baby foods, snacks, (such as breakfast and granola bars), peanut butter and jelly, pasta sauce, mac and cheese, canned pasta meals, paper goods (especially toilet paper, paper towels, tissues).

We are truly thankful for the support of Shir Ami congregation and the religious school and ELC families. Without your generosity, we would not be able to function. We look forward to your continuing support to help us to address food insecurity in the Bucks County area.

FOOD DRIVES

At ShirAmi, we take action against food insecurity through our annual food drives, starting with the Rosh Hashanah Food Drive. The collection process kicks off on Yom Kippur and continues through Sukkot and Simchat Torah, culminating in a special two-day event. Local food agencies in Bucks County are invited to a Sunday morning sorting session followed by a Monday morning shopping experience.

During the holiday season, food insecurity awareness is heightened, leading to increased donations. However, donations tend to decrease at other times of the year, leaving our pantry struggling to maintain its inventory. To address this, we also organize Winter and Spring Food Drives, which not only replenish our pantry but also provide opportunities to raise awareness about food insecurity among our school students and the entire ShirAmi community. Both drives conclude with a Sunday morning sorting and stocking event, ensuring that our efforts to combat hunger continue year-round.

LUNCH FOR THE HOMELESS

Shir Ami is proud to continue our support for the Reach Out Foundation, a vital drop-in center for the homeless, by providing lunch every Wednesday. We invite our community to join us in this important mission by contributing to the weekly lunch program.

To participate, please sign up here

Your contributions, time, and support are greatly appreciated as we work together to make a difference in our community.

CARING FOR FRIENDS

It's more important than ever not to let food go to waste. If you find yourself with extras, have some Caring for Friends packaging on hand in order to immediately freeze leftovers and drop off at Shir Ami. We have been a longtime supporter of the Caring for Friends initiative. Help feed locals who are unable to help themselves simply by packaging your leftovers or planning out some meals in their foil tray system. It's easy to help us provide meals for seniors, children, etc.

We continue to support Caring for Friends with hundreds of individual frozen meals
for those in need. We continue to provide lunch for the homeless every Wednesday.

TO SUPPORT CARING FOR FRIENDS

1. Contact the Shir Ami office for foil trays

2. Fill large section with a protein (ie: turkey or veggie protein)

3. Fill small sections, one with a vegetable and one with a starch

4. Cover tightly with foil and fill out Caring for Friends from

5. Put it in your freezer for 3 or more days

6. Volunteers will transport frozen meals from the Shir Ami freezer to the Caring for Friends warehouse, for distribution to those in need.

JRA FOOD DRIVE VOLUNTEERS

JRA is a local non-profit organization that serves over 6,000 diverse, low-income individuals across Greater Philadelphia by relieving hunger, improving lives, and strengthening our community. One Sunday each month, volunteers of all ages, backgrounds and abilities meet at JRA's Northeast Philly warehouse to pack and deliver more than 3,200 boxes of nutritious kosher food, fresh produce and toiletries to low-income individuals and families. You help volunteering for this cause would be greatly appreciated.

For information, please contact: Columbo Sosky at columbo130@aol.com

“Tzedakah exalts a nation” (PROVERBS 14:34)

“Tzedakah exalts a nation”
(PROVERBS 14:34)