The newly located Jewish Community Food Pantry will be ready to open this month.
After a year of searching for a new site due to the flood of July 2010, Sept. 8 will be the first day of operation. The pantry’s grand opening ceremony is slated for Sept. 22 at 11 a.m.
The pantry’s new location is 2930 W. Center St., with the entrance located on 29th St., on the east side of the building.
The former JCP was located at 31st and Burleigh. It was unfortunately situated under a viaduct.
Sewage water that entered the low-lying area as a result of the flood made it impossible to keep anything the pantry previously owned. Furniture, papers, and all supplies were lost.
The search for a new location was not easy. The JCP leaders, including chairs Cindy Benjamin and Jack Padek, wanted to relocate in the same area that it had been serving, as well as find a building located on higher ground so that their work and investments would not be harmed should another flood occur. Requirements also entailed finding a space with a street address and bus line access.
Finally, according to Dorene Paley, community services director of the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center and the staff person of the pantry, a new location was found with ”the marvelous help” of Mark Shapiro, executive director of the JCC, and Joe Devorkin, a friend of the family of Derrick Martin, which owns Lena’s Food Markets.
The JCP has rented part of a warehouse owned by Lena’s. The lease is long-term.
Many factors contributed to the long wait for the pantry’s reopening. Finding architects and builders, obtaining new refrigeration, and passing legal inspections with the city were just a few.
Again according to Paley, George Meyer was instrumental in securing Kahler Slater‘s architectural help, and attorney Alan Marcuvitz represented the pantry. Furniture was given by the City and County of Milwaukee, Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun, and Shorewest Realty, as well as by private donors. The Hunger Task Force helped the pantry to secure some of the refrigeration.
Started jointly by the JCC and the Women’s Division of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation in 1976, the Jewish Food Pantry serves the entire community. People of all races and religions are welcome to utilize it.
Most notably, it is the only food pantry in the Milwaukee area that has a kosher food section. The pantry also stocks a special infant section. While all people from the community are welcome, more than 40 percent of food recipients are children.
The Jewish Community Pantry will be open every Thursday (except for Jewish and national holidays) 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and serves those who are eligible once per month on a first come, first served basis. Eligibility is determined by government guidelines (income below the poverty level).
Identification and proof of address are required for all members of a household, although, said Paley, sometimes homeless individuals are served as well. All individuals are required to have an intake interview and present documentation prior to being provided with food.
JCP’s interviews also help to determine if individuals are in need of other types of services, said Paley. Having a computer on site better enables the pantry to provide these services.
The pantry is run almost entirely by volunteers. It receives its food supplies from a variety of sources. Volunteers regularly pick up donations of food from Trader Joe’s, Breadsmith (on Silver Spring Dr.), Panera Bread (at Mayfair and in Mequon), and Einstein’s Bagels.
Local synagogues’ holiday food drives, fresh produce from Tikkun Ha’ir, and monetary donations are also crucial contributors. Food purchases are made wherever deals can be found, including Aldi’s, and Feeding America (formerly Second Harvest).
“The Jewish Community Pantry is in need of donations now more than ever to rebuild its stocks,” said Paley. “We know that the community will support us now that we’re reopening. We will also be in need of volunteers once we are up and running.”
To donate, volunteer, or learn more, contact Paley at 414-967-8217 or dpaley@jccmilw.org.
Loading ...