Emergency Food Program

At 7:15 a.m. our first volunteers arrive to prepare hot chocolate, and add fresh fruit and whole grain bread to our prepared non–perishable food packages. By 8 a.m. our full staff of trained volunteers is ready to greet our guests, distribute food packages and hot chocolate. We operate every Saturday morning, 52 weeks per year. Established in October 1992, our program welcomed our first guests in January 1993. We are now in our 12th year of uninterrupted, weekly, year–round service.

Our SWFS Emergency Food Program is a highly regarded, widely recognized community outreach program. Founded in response to research showing a need for a local food program, specifically on Saturday mornings, our Emergency Food Program honors both the synagogue’s long history of social service and the tradition of "tikkun olam," repairing the world. This rich tradition makes it a priority to care for members of the community who are the most vulnerable, with the least resources.

Every Saturday morning we open our doors to the general public, to anyone in need. Our guests represent a wide range of ethnic, racial, age, and gender categories. People come to us from all over the city. They learn about our program through city-wide social service agencies and guests are often referred directly. Most guests, however, hear about our program through word of mouth. We have a well–established reputation for always being open as scheduled, on time, and ever ready with our warm, signature greeting: "thank you for coming."

Our trained volunteers refer to other agencies guests in need of special support. Counseling is offered on–site, as well as information on how to apply for food stamps, find shelters, register to vote and other sources for emergency food and clothing. Regular distribution of socks, hats, gloves, scarves, sweaters and blankets, during the winter months, help our guests survive through the weekend when so many social service agencies are closed.

Guests rely on our program as a meeting place to share a greeting and information, a "community circle." Our delicious and nutritious food packages and heavenly hot chocolate offer our guests both sustenance and comfort. Each food package contains two meals, breakfast and lunch. When the weather is particularly cold or wet, guests are invited into our lobby to sit and enjoy their meal at our "Welcome Table."

Our SWFS Emergency Food Program continues to serve as a model for non–profit groups throughout the US. Every year youth groups, from across the country visit to assist our volunteers prepare and distribute food packages, to meet our guests, to learn how our program runs, to perform and experience the act of tzedakah and bring the values back to their home communities.


Click here to find out more about SWFS Service Programs or select one of the options below to see the many ways your 100 Minutes can make a difference. Contact Heather Stoltz, Community Service Coordinator at 212-877-4050 x244 or CommunityService@swfs.org with any questions or for more information about any of the programs listed.

Also check out our Mitzvah of the Month and see how SWFS Members are giving back to the community in our 100 Minutes in Action Article.