A Year of Drive-Through Service at the Jewish Community Pantry
This was a hallmark year for the Jewish Community Pantry. New and significant challenges arose at every turn. When the Pantry converted to a drive-through service in April 2020, that transition was assumed to be short-lived. How could an outdoor model of service continue throughout the harsh Wisconsin winter months? These challenges and many more were addressed with creativity and heart (think outdoor heaters!); halting service to community members in need was never an option. The Pantry’s dedicated volunteers remained on the frontlines.
The Pantry not only met these challenges head on but worked collaboratively with community partners to address community needs in new and meaningful ways. In addition to addressing hunger, over the past year the Pantry leveraged resources to support a variety of community needs and issues through its commitment to partnering to build a healthier Milwaukee.
Over the past year the Jewish Community Pantry…
- Served an average of 515 households per month, with children representing one third of that total.
- Distributed 467 holiday baskets for Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas.
- Coordinated porch drop-offs to families without cars in partnership with Metcalfe Park Community Bridges.
- Organized a neighborhood clean-up to beautify the block surrounding the Pantry.
- Hosted three flu clinics in partnership with the Medical College of Wisconsin, administering more than 50 flu shots.
- Registered voters in partnership with LegendsVote.org.
- Connected clients to Covid-19 vaccination services in partnership with Froedtert Hospital and Metcalfe Park Community Bridges.
Read more Stories from the JCC 2020-21 Annual Report
Learn more about the Jewish Community Pantry.
