The Jewish Community Pantry of Milwaukee was forced to close its previous Burleigh Street location following flood damage last July. It is making progress toward reopening, according to Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center Executive Director Mark F. Shapiro.
The JCC announced on Nov. 11 that the pantry received a $25,000 grant from the United Way Emergency Assistance Fund. It also recently received a grant of $25,000 from the Hunger Task Force.
In addition, anonymous gifts of $20,000 and $10,000 have been received over the past few weeks. When these larger grants and gifts are added to individual gifts from members of the community, the pantry has raised more than $100,000 since the summer flooding.
JCC leaders have worked over the past months to identify an appropriate, long-term location for the pantry. At this writing, pantry leaders have a verbal agreement, pending final signatures. They expect to announce soon the new location and date of reopening.
Current chairs of the pantry are Cindy Benjamin and Lil Teplinsky. Pantry volunteers Jack Padek and Howard Wagen have been instrumental in the search for a new location, and Stuart Rothman has provided architectural expertise. JCC Community Services Director Dorene Paley oversees day to day pantry operations, working with Program Director Mona Cohen.
The Jewish Community Pantry is part of the Emergency Pantry Network of the Hunger Task Force. It is co-sponsored by the JCC and the Women’s Division of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation. The pantry has been operating since 1976.
For additional information and to offer gifts of money or non-perishable food items, contact Paley at (414) 967-7217 or dpaley@jccmilwaukee.org.
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