Yesh L'cha Chaver
his not-for-profit organization (amuta) was born from the desire to help the ever increasing number of families in need in Jerusalem.
The amuta was established in December 2004 by a group of volunteers, several of whom had previous experience with similar organizations working in the food distribution network. Within six months Yesh l'cha chaver succeeded in expanding their distribution list to 30 families (more than 100 individuals).
The food parcels are prepared at Kehillat Mevakshei Derech in San Simon and delivered to the homes of the recipients by our team of volunteers.
The food is purchased from several sources and financed by monetary and food donations made by individuals. Each family receives a package of fresh fruit, vegetables and dry goods per week. The quantity supplied is in accordance with the size of the family. Supermarket vouchers are also provided at Passover and Rosh Hashana. The value of each voucher is also in accordance with the size of family. Funds permitting, we also provide vouchers for basic school supplies for the children of these needy families at the beginning of the school year.
The families are referred to the amuta by the Municipality of Jerusalem's Welfare Department on an egalitarian basis. Changes of family circumstances are monitored by a network of social workers, one of whom is a volunteer of Yesh l'cha chaver.
The amuta prides itself in managing the organization by incurring zero overheads. Our eight volunteers absorb their own personal costs. The result is that every shekel donated is used in its entirety for the purchase of food for the families.
Twenty five percent of families throughout Israel exist below the poverty line. Jerusalem is one of the poorest cities within Israel in which one child in three is categorized as living below the poverty line. Many of these children arrive at school in need of nourishment. The number of requests for assistance from families in need is ever increasing.
The amuta was established in December 2004 by a group of volunteers, several of whom had previous experience with similar organizations working in the food distribution network. Within six months Yesh l'cha chaver succeeded in expanding their distribution list to 30 families (more than 100 individuals).
The food parcels are prepared at Kehillat Mevakshei Derech in San Simon and delivered to the homes of the recipients by our team of volunteers.
The food is purchased from several sources and financed by monetary and food donations made by individuals. Each family receives a package of fresh fruit, vegetables and dry goods per week. The quantity supplied is in accordance with the size of the family. Supermarket vouchers are also provided at Passover and Rosh Hashana. The value of each voucher is also in accordance with the size of family. Funds permitting, we also provide vouchers for basic school supplies for the children of these needy families at the beginning of the school year.
The families are referred to the amuta by the Municipality of Jerusalem's Welfare Department on an egalitarian basis. Changes of family circumstances are monitored by a network of social workers, one of whom is a volunteer of Yesh l'cha chaver.
The amuta prides itself in managing the organization by incurring zero overheads. Our eight volunteers absorb their own personal costs. The result is that every shekel donated is used in its entirety for the purchase of food for the families.
Twenty five percent of families throughout Israel exist below the poverty line. Jerusalem is one of the poorest cities within Israel in which one child in three is categorized as living below the poverty line. Many of these children arrive at school in need of nourishment. The number of requests for assistance from families in need is ever increasing.