Jewish Family Services (JFS) received a $7,500 Helping Those in Need grant from Glick Philanthropies to support programs that address food insecurity, specifically the Libby and David Fogle Lunch Bunch and Popsie’s Pantry.

“Receiving this grant is instrumental in allowing us to serve our clients and to meet their most basic needs, for food and essential household items such as toilet paper and soap. The clients we serve represent the community surrounding us- working families, frail elderly, adults coping with emotional and physical challenges, military veterans, refugee and immigrant populations- the face of hunger is all of us! It is our honor at JFS to assist in providing a measure of security and support in their daily struggle.” – Julie Sondhelm, Jewish Family Services Social Worker.

This year, Glick Philanthropies gave more than $370,000 in grants to support organizations focused on providing basic needs, including food, transportation, clothing and emergency shelter. JFS was one of the 66 organizations in 11 states to receive a grant, and was nominated by Isabella Brodskiy.

“We are so thankful to have the generous support of Glick Philanthropies that helps us to serve our community’s most vulnerable population. Jewish Family Services makes an impact in the work they do every day serving our community, and the assistance we receive from this grant helps us carry out one of our core Jewish values of caring for those in need," said Debby Grant, CEO and Executive Vice President of the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis.

Recipients in Indiana included Crooked Creek Food Pantry, Damien Center, Indy Hunger Network, Indy Urban Acres, Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana, Shalom Community Center and The Salvation Army.

The annual grant program, previously known as Feeding Those in Need, is part of a broader Glick Philanthropies effort to build community and create opportunity. While the program originally focused on food insecurity, Glick Philanthropies expanded it this year to ultimately help families meet a variety of competing and pressing needs.

“We believe that addressing basic needs helps individuals move toward self-sufficiency,” said David Barrett, vice chair, president and chief executive officer of the Glick Family Foundation, one of the charitable organizations comprising Glick Philanthropies. “It may sound simple, but helping those in need access the basics, like nutritious food, safe housing and reliable transportation, could not be more fundamental or important to many families at this time.”

The Glick Fund at Central Indiana Community Foundation, another one of the charitable organizations that comprises Glick Philanthropies, administered this year’s Helping Those in Need grants. Since its inception in 2016, Helping Those in Need has awarded more than $1.2 million to 110 organizations across 11 states. The program previously awarded $303,745 in grants in 2018, $306,552 in 2017 and $257,856 in 2016.

“The Helping Those in Need grants not only give individuals a much-needed hand up, but they also challenge community organizations to think creatively and long term about equitable opportunity,” said Brian Payne, president and CEO of Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF). “CICF is proud to partner on Helping Those in Need given Glick Philanthropies’ long history of supporting social service organizations and ensuring individuals can live with dignity.”

About JFS

Jewish Family Services (JFS), the social services department of the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis, serves members of both the Jewish and non-Jewish communities of the Indianapolis metro area. Its coordinated approach to services is designed to enhance the health, well-being and dignity of individuals and families throughout all stages of life.

JFS’ approach to program and service delivery is to invest in people.  We understand that each individual’s needs are complex. Helping to address each individual’s struggle for proper food and nutrition is particularly challenging and complex, because the needs vary from person to person, and the nature of each individual’s needs can change over time. In recognition of this, JFS has adopted a creative approach featuring a program that is diverse by design: It offers urgent food assistance, access to healthy food options, nutrition education, and weekly hot meals. JFS will utilize the funding it receives to help those struggling with food insecurity in the Indianapolis community.