1. Springfield Illinois Mitzvah Mobile Food Pantry
A Community in Action:
One Response to Food Insecurity

2. GOALS Provide fresh food for those in need
Provide an opportunity for a broad spectrum of volunteers
Strengthen our local sense of community within our local organizational structure
Two years ago, the Jewish Federation of Springfield, IL, coordinated an alliance of local churches and our 2 synagogues to show the documentary: “A Place At the Table” about food insecurity. We learned about the politics of food distribution issues surrounding this topic in America and in our community.
But we wanted to do more. We wanted to take some sort of action. So building on this knowledge, last May, our 1,000 member Jewish community sponsored a mobile food truck, in Jewish parlance, A Mobile Mitzvah Food Pantry.

3. Statistics Springfield, Il: 1,000 Jews 1 Reform Temple
1 Conservative Synagogue
Hadassah, B’nai B’rith, 2 sisterhoods
60+ volunteers
17,000 pounds of food to families--- (548 individuals)
In cooperation with the Central Illinois Food Bank, we distributed 17,000 pounds of food to 157 families of our needy neighbors. The recipients got the food, but what we got was worth far more:

4. Happy crew despite the drizzle
We engaged an incredible group of volunteers. We had about 60 volunteers of all ages, from 8 to over 80, some of whom had never participated or volunteered at Federation events before.
We accommodated several levels of participation. If someone had physical disabilities, he or she could welcoe people and leave the heavy lifting to others.
We made a positive contact with people in the neighborhood with whom few of us have ever spoken.
We worked smoothly and happily together even in the rain. Great ruah.
We had financial buy-in from every group that then shared in the feeling of aking a difference Federation (our lead sponsor), JCRC, Hadassah, B’nai B’rith 2 temples, 2 sisterhoods. It would have been possible to raise the money from individual donors some of whom don’t normally give to Federation, or from businesses.
Happy crew despite the drizzle

5. We made a good name for the Federation and the Jewish community.
We felt we made a difference in the community and we will make this an annual event.

6. Before our event, we took a field trip to Taylorville, Il for their
December food giveaway. That helped us get a handle on the details
and why you see snow on some of these pictures. (We don’t have snow
In Illinois in May.)

7. For volunteers, we put the word out through every organizational newsletter, particularly recru8iting young people through and social media. We need people who could lift 50 pound bags of onions and apples from a fork lift if needed.

8. Once volunteers were recruited, they were divided into job categories (check in, hospitality, food unloaders and distributors, cart pushers, box breakers/cleaner-uppers) and received detailed instructions about parking, clothing, and their specific jobs.

9. **First Come, First Served**
Sangamon County
Mobile Pantry
Saturday, May 30, :00am
Temple B’rith Sholom
1004 S. 4th St
Springfield IL
**First Come, First Served**
Please bring an empty box or laundry basket to fill.
This mobile is made possible due to the generosity of Jewish Federation of Springfield, Illinois' Jewish Community Relations Council.
Publicity was handed by the Central Illinois Food Bank, which provided the flyer. However, we walked the immediate neighborhood of the Temple with flyers for mailboxes, and handed some out to 3 low income groups affiliated with our volunteers. A printed sign was set up outside the Temple advertising the event.
The recipients were so appreciative and friendly. The grocery carts allowed them to shop for what they wanted and could use. Some recipients even helped us hand out the food.
Central Illinois Foodbank
1937
E Cook St
Springfield IL 62703

10. The graciousness with which the food was offered and accepted made a positive impact. We can’t wait to do this again this May and encourage other communities to do this too.

11. This required logistics and organization but it’s not difficult.

12. One recipient told us tearfully, “I’m pregnant, my new job barely pays for rent and food, and my refrigerator just died. We’re out of food. You have no idea how much this means to us.”

13. Volunteers getting food ready for distribution
If you think your community would consider producing a similar event, I have hand outs that give the specifics. This isn’t rocket science, but it is fun.