IN THE NEWS! JFCS 1 of 60 Area Non-Profits to Receive Funds from PACF
January 19, 2023
Princeton Area Community Foundation awarded $2million in grant funding to 60 local organizations, including JFCS in support of our food pantries.
January 19, 2023
Princeton Area Community Foundation awarded $2million in grant funding to 60 local organizations, including JFCS in support of our food pantries.
October 13, 2022
Princeton Community Works highlighted how JFCS demonstrated flexibility and adaptability, particularly in the mobile food pantry, over the challenging past two years.
Shopping at the grocery store these days shows us how the inflation rate, at its highest in 40 years, is affecting our budgets. For our clients, the impact is even greater. In an effort to meet community needs, we encourage everyone to participate in Feeding America‘s Hunger Action Month this September.
In Mercer County, 1 in 12 individuals is estimated to be food insecure. Our brick-and-mortar and mobile food pantries are seeing significantly increased demand and we are looking to you to help support our community. It doesn’t take much effort or expense. Here are some small ways to make a BIG impact.
Participate in JFCS’ 2nd Annual Wheels for Meals bike ride on October 9th! Funds raised support all JFCS food distribution programs including the brick-and-mortar and mobile food pantries and senior nutrition programs. With several route options for beginners to the most experienced cyclists, this ride has something for everyone! Not a rider? Sponsor one or donate to the event. Learn more and register to ride at jfcswheels4meals.org!
October 13, 2022
Princeton Community Works highlighted how JFCS demonstrated flexibility and adaptability, particularly in the mobile food pantry, over the challenging past two years.
December 27, 2021
Lawrence Township Community Foundation recently granted $31,540 to several local community organizations for their fall cycle, including JFCS in support of mobile food pantry efforts.
The end of year is always a time to reflect and set goals for the year ahead. JFCS is sharing inspiring stories of how our programs have helped the individuals, families and community we serve move forward after another challenging year for all.
Valerie reached out to JFCS after recognizing the severity of the anxiety and depression she was experiencing. After making the commitment to counseling and putting new skills into action, Valerie felt empowered to address the root of her most severe symptoms – low self-esteem caused by lack of boundaries in challenging relationships. By tackling the causes of her anxiety and depression, Valerie soon felt confident to move forward from therapy.
“My counselor was exceptional and did an excellent job listening without judgment and providing professional support. I am extremely grateful for this experience and am looking forward to moving past my anxiety.”
The JFCS senior service team received a call from Arthur, who lives out of state, and was concerned about his 90 year-old mother who lives alone in the Princeton community. While the son was in town, one of our geriatric care managers scheduled an appointment to meet with both Arthur and his mother, Ruth. The care manager did a thorough assessment including home safety, social supports, meal shopping/preparation and transportation options. A plan of care was developed to address these issues. Arthur left for home feeling like a “weight had been lifted from his shoulders.”
He knew he was no longer alone to deal with the challenges that lie ahead. JFCS receives many calls like this and our expert team of geriatric care managers is available to provide guidance and support to those in similar situations.
Melinda is a grandmother who serves as the primary guardian to both grandsons. She lives on a fixed income and is the full-time caregiver to both children, one of whom has significant physical special needs, requiring in-home therapy and care. It is difficult for Melinda to get out of the house, but thankfully, she is in counseling with one of our JFCS therapists who referred her to the pantry team. Our pantry team was able to identify one of our local mobile food pantry stops where Melinda can easily and conveniently pick up groceries. Melinda was also able to receive gift cards through the LIGHTS program so she could purchase holiday gifts for her grandsons, something out of reach without this support.
“With a resource coming right to my neighborhood, it is a huge relief. I face serious financial challenges as the sole caregiver for my grandsons, and I am so appreciative of any help. Even the smallest gesture makes a big difference in our lives.”
Stories like those of Valerie, Arthur, Ruth and Melinda are just some examples of the impact we have made, together, over the past year. You can read further about how JFCS has served the community this year in our latest Annual Report.
We thank all of those who have supported us, especially in these ongoing, challenging times. We hope you can once again trust JFCS to care for those in need with an end of year gift. Help us move into the new year with help, hope & healing.
Thanksgiving is an exciting time to eat some of our favorite holiday foods. We could go on and on about Thanksgiving fare, but the reality is that making too many dishes can be stressful! Check out the following tips to spend less time and money in the kitchen.
When it comes to Thanksgiving, thinking ahead can save the day!
Giving ourselves time to decide what’s really important minimizes holiday stress. Prioritizing can keep us focused and on-track to stay within budget and to make healthier choices.
For when you don’t want to cook a whole bird (try it with chicken!)
Instructions:
For a more naturally sweetened sauce
12 oz Cranberries, fresh or frozen
1/3 Cup Maple Syrup or Honey
1/4 Cup Orange Juice (use zest of oranges if fresh)
1/8 tsp Vanilla (optional)
1/8 tsp Cinnamon (optional)
Instructions:
For a new dish to serve featuring seasonal vegetables.
For the Squash
3 Acorn Squash, small
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper, to taste
For the Stuffing
Instructions:
For a crunchy & salty snack while waiting for dinner.
Acorn Squash Seeds
Oil of your choosing, enough to lightly coat
Salt, to taste
Instructions:
For a deliciously simple vegetable side dish.
1.5 lbs Fresh Green Beans, ends trimmed
3 Tbsp Water
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
3-4 Garlic Cloves, minced
Salt & Black Pepper to taste
Instructions:
For a traditional & simple seasonal vegetable side.
2 lbs Brussels Sprouts, fresh
3 Tbsp Olive Oil
Salt & Black Pepper to taste
Instructions:
For a hassle-free slow cooker recipe (try it with sweet potatoes!)
5 lbs Potatoes, peeled & cut into 1-inch cubes
1/2 Cup of Lowfat or Plant-Based Milk
1/2 Cup Low-Sodium Broth
3 Garlic Cloves, smashed
1/3 Cup Plain Greek Yogurt
1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
Salt & Black Pepper to taste
Sliced Green Onions or Chives for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
For a hearty seasonal soup you can make ahead (try with any winter squash!)
Instructions:
If Freezing…
For a healthy dessert that highlights beautiful seasonal apples.
4 Large Apples
3 Tbsp Unsalted Butter, softened
1/4 Cup of Brown Sugar or Honey
1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
1/8 tsp Ground Nutmeg
1/3 Cup Whole Rolled Oats
2 Tbsp Raisins/Dried Cranberries/Chopped Nuts (optional)
Instructions:
For a traditional dessert you can make in advance
1 Store-Bought Pie Dough
3 Eggs, large
15 oz can 2 cups pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
1/2 cup your choice of milk
1/2 cup maple syrup or honey
1/2 tsp vanilla
1.5 tsp pumpkin pie spice**
1/4 tsp salt
**Make & store your own pumpkin pie spice in a jar by mixing 1/4 cup ground cinnamon, 1 Tbsp ground nutmeg, 1 Tbsp ground ginger and 1 tsp ground cloves
Instructions:
Freeze & Store…
November 12, 2021
The Trentonian covered the three-day partner event between United Way of Greater Mercer County and NRG Energy where more than 1,000 Thanksgiving meals were packaged up for local food pantries, including JFCS. Our agency received 250 bags to distribute through our mobile and on-site food pantries.
Diversified Rack & Shelving partnered with East Windsor Township Mayor Janice S. Mironov, to present $10,000 in donations to four community organizations: $2,500 to RISE Community Service Partnership to support their food distribution program, $2,500 to Mercer County Meals on Wheels, $2,500 to Jewish Family & Children’s Service for their mobile food truck, and $2,500 to the East Windsor Senior Trust Fund for senior programming.
Read more on MidJersey.News or CentralJersey.com.
The 1st Annual JFCS Wheels for Meals welcomed over 250 cyclists on a foggy autumn morning to Mercer County Community College. To date, the event has raised over $93,000 in support of JFCS food programs.
“We were astounded at the turnout for our inaugural event,” said Michelle Napell, Executive Director. “The enthusiasm of all the cyclists, from the experienced riders to the young cyclists representing local synagogues, it was a true demonstration of the power of community coming together for a cause.”
The support of 20 sponsors helped jump start the success of the event. Each cyclists who registered then had the opportunity to set up fundraising pages and have their networks donate towards a personal fundraising goal. Fundraisers could also form teams, which proved popular with local riding groups, synagogues, businesses, and even bar & bat mitzvah projects.
“We are thrilled to have set such an exciting precedent and only growing the event in future years,” adds Napell.
See the Wheels for Meals site for full cyclists info and to continue to contribute to the cause.
Event Sponsors:
Event Partners:
Jay’s Cycles Princeton | NJ Sings | Wegmans | Witherspoon Media Group