August 2024 Volunteer of the Month
We are excited to introduce our August Volunteer of the Month, Danni L., who volunteers in the Weinberg Food Pantry, helping provide nutritious and culturally relevant food to individuals and families in need.
When unexpected things happen, JFS is here to help
“At the end of the day, there are people out there who care and want to help those in need. The JFS staff are very kind, and I appreciate their efforts.” These are Abraham’s sentiments after receiving financial assistance from our JFS Boulder office. Abraham’s story isn’t unusual, and you or someone you know may be in a similar situation.
Community Resource Fair
This in-person event features a variety of community partners and is designed to provide helpful information about JFS programs and services and beyond—all to benefit individuals and families within our community.
Community Resource for Stability Department Spotlight
This month, we’re excited to spotlight our Community Resources for Stability (CRS) department. We sat down with JFS Director of Community Resources of Stability Elizabeth Lawrence to learn about this remarkable team and their work throughout JFS and our communities.
Household Items Needed
New and gently used small household items are needed to help to help furnish resettled refugee’s homes. These items can be donated directly to JFS at 3201 S. Tamarac Drive, Denver, CO 80231.
When an Idea Became a Reality, Good Continues to Happen
The JFS Weinberg Food Pantry did not begin because the need for food and other essentials suddenly emerged. Our food pantry started because the need grew beyond what several compassionate Denverites began in 1991 and could manage on their own.
We Must Act Against Hunger
Demand for JFS’s onsite and mobile food pantries is at an all-time high, and the number of families in need of food support in Denver continues to grow. Each week more and more families come to JFS for food. We now see an average of 16 new households each pantry day.
We appreciate you!
Whether you gave to our Dorinda Levy Thanksgiving Fund, supported Colorado Gives Day, participated in our Adopt a Family Bright Holidays gift program, or were a Secret Shopper and provided gifts to local individuals and families, we thank you. Your incredible generosity brought joy and light to our community. We are overwhelmed with gratitude for your support and willingness to help those who need us most.
Hear from our JFS president about acting against hunger
The demand for food and other essential items continues to increase not just at the JFS food pantries but at all pantries across the country. Please take a few minutes to read JFS president and CEO Linda Foster’s thoughts about the food insecurity crisis we are facing and learn what you can do to help combat the situation.
Fight hygiene insecurity
Hygiene insecurity is all around us—from girls who miss school because they don’t have access to adequate period products to families who can’t diaper their babies to our neighbors who miss work because they can’t afford toothpaste or soap—necessities that we take for granted every day that are not covered by federal programs like SNAP and WIC. During this year’s High Holidays, you can make a difference with a tax-deductible donation to end hygiene insecurity.
Are you ready to fight hunger?
The amount of food insecurity we’re seeing is staggering and continues to grow. Due to the reduction in SNAP benefits, inflation, and rising costs for food, gas, and other essential items, there is an unprecedented demand for food and other necessities. Together, we can combat hunger wherever it exists.
JFS Temporary Mobile Food Pantry is out and about
The JFS temporary Mobile Food Pantry travels to Denver neighborhoods and housing complexes with high percentages of food insecurity and community and recreation centers.
Bright Holidays donation program
We hope you will join this year’s Bright Holidays program, to bring light and joy to those we serve. There are multiple ways to participate; you can sponsor an individual or family’s wish list, donate gift cards, or make a monetary donation to the program.
Erase the need with backpacks and supplies—it’s a school thing
All kids should start the school year with the supplies they need to help them be successful in school—and you can help them thrive.
As the cost of living increases and caregivers struggle to afford school supplies, you can help JFS provide more than 400 backpacks filled with school supplies to kids at our Lunchbox Express program sites! Donating $50.00 provides all the essentials for kids’ first day of school, including a backpack. You have the power to help boost confidence, promote learning, and encourage success for students in our community—and show them we’ve got their backs!
Lunchbox Express is BACK!
JFS’s Lunchbox Express program adapted to accommodate COVID-19 health and safety guidelines for the past two years. With restrictions lifting, we’re excited to welcome children back to our traditional service model. When schools let out for summer, families who rely heavily on school-based free and reduced-price lunch programs can turn to the Lunchbox Express program to receive nutritionally balanced lunches.
Partner Spotlight: Dependable Cleaners
The Toltz family has supported JFS for decades, and Steven Toltz, president of Dependable Cleaners, continues their legacy of giving. “Besides a generational understanding, I have several friends and family who have volunteered at JFS or sat on its Board,” said Toltz.
Fighting Food Insecurity While Inflation Rises
March is National Nutrition Month, and it was created to call attention to making informed food choices and developing healthy eating habits. It’s also an excellent time to talk about JFS’s Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Food Pantry.
Voices of JFS: Jill Miller
Jill Miller and her family have a long history of volunteering with JFS. We talked with Jill to learn more about how she got started, her involvement with the organization, and why she chooses to spend her time helping JFS. Let’s learn about Jill’s dedication to JFS in her own words.
Providing a Non-judgmental Safety Net
What do you do when you need life-saving medical treatment but don’t have insurance or even enough money for rent or food? Unfortunately, this was the dilemma Corey found himself in about 10 years ago when he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Corey was already struggling with diabetes, having enough food to eat, and paying his rent, and on top of all of those challenges, he lost his health insurance.
Helping a Family Find a Place to Call Home
Through our Rapid Re-Housing program, we recently helped a single dad with three children under the age of 10 find housing for the family.