Ending Hunger and Strengthening Community: The Mission of The Dorit & Ben J. Genet Cupboard
As the season of Hanukkah approaches, Feeding South Florida had the privilege of visiting one of our 250 partner agencies—specifically within the Jewish community—to learn more about the incredible work they’re doing and how they’re giving back during this special time of year. During our visit, we had the opportunity to sit down with Ross Adel, Director of The Dorit & Ben J. Genet Cupboard, to gain valuable insight into their efforts to support families in need. This visit allowed us to see firsthand the profound impact they’re making and how their dedication to providing food, resources, and holiday cheer is truly making a difference in the lives of many families.
Ending Hunger and Strengthening Community: The Mission of The Dorit & Ben J. Genet Cupboard
In communities across the country, food insecurity affects individuals and families from all walks of life. For Jewish families, however, the challenge is often heightened by the need for kosher food, which can be more expensive and harder to find. The Dorit & Ben J. Genet Cupboard, a program of Jewish Family Services (JFS) in Broward County, Florida, serves between 600 and 800 families each month, providing kosher food to those in the community. While the majority of those served are Jewish, the pantry is committed to helping people from all backgrounds, making sure that no one is turned away. This commitment to inclusion reflects the broader values of JFS, which seeks to strengthen the entire community by offering resources and support where they are needed most.
As part of Jewish Family Services, which has a long-standing commitment to serving the Jewish community, The Cupboard plays a vital role in a larger network of services. In addition to the food pantry, they offers programs such as the Rack Pack (a clothing pantry), financial assistance, domestic abuse services, Holocaust survivor support, and homelessness prevention. This holistic approach ensures that individuals and families receive the comprehensive support they need to regain stability and thrive. In every sense, The Dorit & Ben J. Genet Cupboard is not just about providing food—it’s about building a stronger, more resilient community where everyone can find the help they need to overcome adversity.
The Importance of a Kosher Pantry
Kosher food is at the heart of The Cupboard’s mission. For Jewish families who observe kosher dietary laws, finding affordable kosher food can be a significant challenge. With rising food prices, kosher products are often even more costly than non-kosher options, creating an additional burden for families already facing financial difficulties.
To meet this need, The Cupboard works exclusively with kosher food vendors and partners with organizations like Feeding South Florida, which helps to provide kosher food donations. Volunteers play a crucial role in ensuring that only kosher products are put on the pantry’s shelves. The pantry’s commitment to offering only kosher food ensures that Jewish families can observe their dietary laws without the added stress of finding affordable options.
Serving a Growing Population of Seniors
One of the most pressing issues facing The Cupboard is the increasing number of senior citizens in the community who require assistance. Around 65% of the pantry’s clients are seniors, many of whom struggle with mobility or health issues that make it difficult for them to cook. As a result, there is a growing demand for prepared foods—meals that are ready to eat and easy to prepare.
For seniors, it can be a challenge to use fresh produce or cook meals from scratch. Instead, a simple microwaveable meal or pre-cooked dinner can provide a much-needed solution. The Cupboard is adapting to these needs, sourcing and distributing more prepared foods to ensure that seniors can maintain their independence while still receiving nourishing meals.
Long-Term Goals: Expanding Reach and Impact
The ultimate goal of The Cupboard is simple: to ensure that no one goes hungry. While this may seem like an ambitious aspiration, it’s the driving force behind everything they do. But achieving this goal requires continued growth and adaptation. The Cupboard is constantly looking for ways to expand its reach, whether that’s by securing a larger warehouse space, improving transportation to rescue food, or partnering with more food providers to increase the pantry’s offerings.
As the pantry serves 600 to 800 families each month, it’s clear that this is just a small percentage of the people in the community who could benefit from the pantry’s services. The challenge now is how to reach more families, particularly as the demand for kosher food continues to rise.
A Special Touch for the Holidays: Bringing Joy to Families
For Jewish families, holidays are an important time for tradition and celebration, and Hanukkah is no exception. But for many families who are struggling financially, celebrating with a festive meal or gift can seem out of reach. That’s why The Cupboard makes it a point to ensure that every family it serves can enjoy the holidays with dignity.
Each year, The Cupboard provides families with a special holiday package that includes items like potato pancake mix (a key part of Hanukkah meals), oil for frying, applesauce, Hanukkah candles, and even chocolate gelt (small chocolate coins often given to children). For many families, this small gesture is a reminder that, even in tough times, they are not alone. In addition to the holiday packages, The Cupboard also ensures that children in the community receive gifts. Thanks to generous donations, from our partners The Cupboard distributes gift cards to children, giving them the chance to enjoy the holiday with a special gift of their own.
At Feeding South Florida, we are proud to support The Cupboard in their vital mission to illeviate food insecurity within the Jewish community. As a partner, we provide The Cupboard with food donations, including fresh produce, pantry staples, and kosher products, to ensure they can serve families in the community. With food prices on the rise, the ability to offer kosher food is an essential part of The Cupboard’s work, and we are honored to help make that possible. Our partnership with The Cupboard goes beyond just food donations. Through ongoing logistical support, shared expertise, and a commitment to helping each other meet the growing demand for assistance, we work together to address the challenges of food insecurity. We are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with such a dedicated team, and we look forward to continuing our work alongside The Cupboard to create a community where no one has to go hungry. Together, we are making a real difference in the lives of thousands of families, and we are proud to stand alongside them in this important mission.
