IN THE NEWS! Providing Help, Hope, and Healing in a Time of Pandemic
November 19, 2020
Princeton Magazine featured JFCS and our overall response to the pandemic in their Fall/Winter 2020.
See us on Page 56 of the Digital Issue.
November 19, 2020
Princeton Magazine featured JFCS and our overall response to the pandemic in their Fall/Winter 2020.
See us on Page 56 of the Digital Issue.
This time of year is usually full of eager anticipation, cheerful gatherings, acts of kindness and charitable giving. Like so many aspects of life, this year the holiday season will look different than ones that came before. While we will all have to continue to be creative in how and where we gather with family and friends, observe holiday traditions, and participate in the season, we can still make this year meaningful and special.
Do you or your families need a refresher on Zoom? Don’t let anyone feel left out of the virtual celebration, share our step by step Zoom Guide.
Consider a drive-by potluck dinner. If you can’t bring yourself to reduce the recipe of your favorite holiday dish, coordinate with loved ones who may be within driving distance and organize a drop-off potluck. Make the full holiday serving size, divvy up into individual portions, and make a no-contact delivery to loved ones who are close by. OR, if you are far apart from loved ones, especially elderly family members, consider ordering them a prepared meal to be delivered.
Find more tips like this in…
Remember, this year, safety is most important to ensure future holidays celebrations can be shared together in person. Review the CDC Guidelines and Recommendations for Thanksgiving & upcoming holidays.
If you are a caregiver, this holiday can be extra difficult managing the stress of your role in the midst of the pandemic, and without the extra family support during this season. We are here for caregivers.
If you have experienced loss this year, this difficult and distanced holiday time can feel especially challenging to navigate.
Additional resources for the bereaved:
Practice gratitude. Here are a number of resources for nurturing gratitude for Thanksgiving and beyond.
Find comfort in the familiar of tradition. Put out the special tableware, the traditional recipes, and find religious services streaming online.
Embrace the nostalgia of the hand-written card. When we are all missing family and friends more than ever, a hand-written (or even hand-made if you want to avoid the stores) card can mean so much to the recipient.
Dress up! Even if you are hosting a smaller gathering than usual, or celebrating solo, dress up in your formal holiday attire. Wearing your holiday best can bring about the celebratory spirit!
Missing out on the cookie baking marathon with your loved ones? Set up a video call and bake “together.” This can be a special opportunity to record your family members passing down beloved family recipes which can be cherished for generations.
Find more tips like this in…
Community Event: Interfaith Thanksgiving Service dedicated in memory of Rabbi Feldman
Thurs, November 26 @ 11:00 AM
Join for a special interfaith service for the holiday. STREAM LIVE
This has been a challenging year for many – job loss, food insecurity, seniors feeling especially isolated. In this season of giving, find ways to make a difference in your community…
Participate or lead a Thanksgiving/Holiday Food Drive. Check with local pantries if they are collecting specific items for the upcoming holidays or if they are in need of pantry staples.
Want to get out into the community? Food banks, food pantries and soup kitchens continue to see rising demand. Reach out to organizations in your area and inquire about volunteer opportunities. Many organizations are relying on volunteers to facilitate large-scale grab and go meal distributions.
Share a smile with a senior. The restrictions of current quarantine orders dramatically impact older adults. Consider making holiday cards to be shared with isolated seniors. Reach out to local senior care facilities or organizations to inquire about how to best distribute holiday greeting cards to their residents/clients.
Make a donation. Find an organization close to your heart and make a gift that is meaningful to you to support them. Share with family and friends why this cause is important and encourage them to do the same.
Never had time to make a Turkey Trot before now? Most charity walks/races have gone virtual and can be completed from anywhere! Make a team with family and friends no matter how distanced you are, and embrace the chance to create a new tradition with them.
Create a Secret “Snowflake” gift exchange through the magic of Amazon Prime (or any online store). Organize a gift exchange through a broad network using social media or keep it to a close-knit group with whom you may not be able to gather in person with this year.
Seek out virtual holiday concert or performances, coordinate virtual “watch parties” of your favorite holiday movies with your loved ones, enjoy outdoor, socially distanced opportunities like drive-through or walk-through light displays, and explore local opportunities like Palmer Square holiday weekends or Morven Museum & Garden Festival of Trees.
This Thanksgiving, enjoy an Interfaith Service, dedicated to the memory of Rabbi Adam Feldman. Stream the program live, Thursday, November 26 at 11 AM.
See a guided video by our very own Andrea Gaynor to make your own Sufganiyot (Jelly Doughnuts) for Hanukkah!
Our registered dietitan has shared tips and recipes for budget-friendly and time-conscious Thanksgiving dishes.
Check out additional family friendly recipes:
Get crafty and creative this holiday season with these activities fun for all ages!
It has been said that during the pandemic, sometimes it takes more effort to accomplish less. The emotional and mental toll of the past months may leave many feeling exceptionally fatigued by the holidays before they have even arrived.
If you need to keep things simple to protect your mental health, then take the time for self-care. If you’re feeling over-Zoomed before weeks of virtual holiday drinks, be honest with your family and friends and let them know you cannot join all of the engagements.
Find information & tips in our blogs:
And, if you need to talk to someone, reach out to JFCS…
Looking for a DIY project? A healthy snack? A break from virtual learning? Try these easy & tasty 3-ingredient, no-bake bars! These healthy treats feature peanuts which contain healthy fats, fiber & plant-based protein!
Instructions:
¿Busca un proyecto? ¿Un bocadillo saludable? ¿Un descanso del aprendizaje virtual? ¡Prueba esta fácil y sabrosa receta de 3 ingredientes sin hornear! Estas golosinas saludables contienen cacahuetes que contienen grasas saludables, fibra y proteínas vegetales.
Instrucciones:
5 minutes at night for a healthy morning start!
1 Cup Oats
1 Cup Milk
4 Tablespoon Peanut Butter
4 Tablespoon Jelly
Instructions:
Add in your favorite ingredients to personalize your breakfast! Try walnuts, pumpkin seeds, honey, cinnamon, dark chocolate, berries, or bananas.
5 minutos por la noche para comenzar una mañana saludable.
1 Taza de Avena
1 Taza de Leche
4 Cucharadas de Mantequilla de Maní
4 Cucharadas de mermelada
Instrucciones:
¡Agregue sus ingredientes favoritos para personalizar su desayuno! Pruebe nueces, semillas de calabaza, miel, canela, chocolate negro, bayas o banana.
Need a lightly sweet, crunchy & versatile bite. Look no further! Great as cereal, a snack, yogurt topping and MORE!
3 Cups Rolled Oats
2 Tablespoons Maple Syrup or Honey
1/2 Cup Unsweetened Applesauce
2 Tablespoons Oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
Necesita un bocado ligeramente dulce, crujiente y versátil. ¡No busque más! ¡Excelente como cereal, un bocadillo, cobertura de yogurt y MÁS!
3 tazas de avena arrollada
2 cucharadas de jarabe de arce o miel
1/2 taza de puré de manzana sin azúcar
2 cucharadas de aceite
1/4 cucharadita de sal
Instrucciones:
Apple season in NJ is from late August until the end of October. Want the flavors of Fall to last longer? Try these 2 methods of dehydrating apples to keep your fruit for longer & make delicious healthy snacks for the whole family!
Oven Method:
Microwave Method:
La temporada de manzanas en Nueva Jersey es desde finales de Agosto hasta finales de Octubre. ¿Quieres que los sabores del otoño duren más? ¡Prueba estos 2 métodos de deshidratación de manzanas para conservar la fruta por más tiempo y preparar deliciosos bocadillos saludables para toda la familia!
Método del Horno:
Método de Microonda:
November 11, 2020
ROI-NJ featured an announcment from the Provident Bank Foundation regarding their generous grant awards across NJ.
JFCS has been awarded a Major Grant in the amount of $12,500 from The Provident Bank Foundation to support our food distribution through the Mobile Food Pantry and on-site pantry specifically in the East Windsor & Hightstown communities.
Apple Season in NJ lasts from late August until the end of October.
Savor the naturally sweet flavor of apples with this 5-minute healthy dessert recipe!
For Filling
For Topping
Instructions:
La temporada de manzana en Nueva Jersey dura desde finales de Agosto hasta finales de Octubre. ¡Saboree el sabor naturalmente dulce de las manzanas con esta receta de postre saludable de 5 minutos!
Ingredientes para el receta:
1 manzana
¼ cucharadita de canela
1 cucharadita de azúcar /miel/ jarabe de arce
Ingredientes para la cobertura:
Instrucciones:
Sweet potatoes are harvested from late summer through the fall. They are a vitamin-rich & versatile staple of the season. Sweet potatoes are high in beta-carotene, a plant-based orange/red pigment that converts to vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A helps maintain healthy skin, eyes & a strong immune system. Try a new recipe with sweet potatoes this season!
Instructions:
El comote se cosechan de finales del verano hasta el otoño. Son un alimento básico y rico en vitaminas de la temporada.
El comote es rico en betacaroteno, un pigmento naranja / rojo de origen vegetal que se convierte en vitamina A en el cuerpo. La vitamina A ayuda a mantener la piel, los ojos sanos y un sistema inmunológico fuerte.
¡Prueba una nueva receta con comotes esta temporada!
Instrucciones:
November 5, 2020
Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Greater Mercer County [JFCS] held its second annual event for the JFCS Women’s Alliance, a membership-based collaboration of women focused on addressing hunger in Mercer County.
To date, the Women’s Alliance had raised $80,478 in donations and pledges. The funds raised can support over 10 weeks of distributions through the JFCS Mobile Food Pantry. The Mobile Food Pantry has benefitted over 11,000 individuals since its launch in January of 2020.
This year the JFCS Women’s Alliance introduced tiered giving levels to open membership to more women, particularly to include those whose giving abilities may have been impact by the pandemic, but still wanted to be a part of the group and support the JFCS Mobile Food Pantry.
“We were so impressed with the response to the Women’s Alliance this year,” said Michelle Napell, Executive Director of JFCS. “From the overwhelming response, it is clear people want to give, they want to have their dollars make an impact in their community.”
The pandemic has dramatically increased need for food across all communities, including Mercer County. According to Feeding America, the food insecurity rate in Mercer is expected to reach 13.6% by the end of 2020, representing over 50,000 individuals.
On October 29, all 126 Women’s Alliance members were invited to tune in live to the virtual event, “Community & Resilience” an interview with Joanne Canady-Brown, owner of The Gingered Peach (Lawrenceville, NJ) and Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Fellow, James Beard Foundation.
“When planning our event, we not only wanted to share about our mobile pantry program, but also take this opportunity to highlight the theme of ‘community and resilience’ through a local story,” said Napell. “Joanne, as a local, small-business owner, certainly showed resilience as she has kept her business going through the pandemic, and through the challenges of this year, she never hesitated to give back to her community despite facing her own obstacles.”
Canady-Brown shared her personal story including her journey in opening The Gingered Peach six years ago, the challenges of navigating the pandemic as a small business owner, and her family inspirations that led to her career in baking and developing a resilient spirit.
“Joanne spoke about her upbringing, and the role food played in building that sense of family and community. She reflected that her family was economically challenges and food was the ‘only vehicle to celebrate’ and used as a way to show love,” noted Napell. “This message resonates with how JFCS approaches our pantry distributions, it is not just about handing out food items, we give with care and compassion to those we serve. We take pride in offering fresh, healthy food items that can truly be a center of a family celebration.”
To learn more about becoming a member or supporting the Women’s Alliance, contact Helaine Isaacs at 609-987-8100 Ext 104 or HelaineI@jfcsonline.org.
See this story in the November 11 edition of Town Topics.