Heritage Florida Jewish News - Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

JFS Orlando’s annual Hope Challenge is underway. Running Sept. 12 through Oct. 15, every dollar donated to Jewish Family Services of Greater Orlando will be generously matched by Lauren and Scott Zimmerman and the Zimmerman Foundation, with a total match of up to $25,000.

With your help, JFS Orlando’s FAMILY of services can continue to bring hope to those in need during the High Holidays and beyond. For the cost of just eight cups of coffee, you feed a family for a week through their Pearlman Food Pantry; two theme park passes you support a family in JFS’s Family Stabilization Program; three gym classes provide a vital counseling session with a JFS therapist; one date night transports a senior to essential appointments for a month with RIDE. 

“This year we need your help more than ever,” said Aaron Bernstein, JFS Orlando director of Development & Marketing. “Every month is setting another record in the number of people to whom we are providing food assistance. Our Pearlman Food Pantry has seen the six highest months of food distribution in the agency’s 45-year history in 2023 and we’ve given out almost a year’s worth of food in just nine months.” Bernstein added that “if this trend continues, we will surpass the 300,000 meals mark for the first time ever.”

In addition to the food pantry, JFS Orlando’s Family Stabilization Program is close to capacity with new client registration to open on Oct. 1, the RIDE senior transportation program is in full swing, and therapists are maximizing their efforts to provide mental health counseling.  

Today you can be the hope by taking advantage of the opportunity to double your impact and help JFS Orlando continue providing human services to the record numbers of those in need.

To donate, visit JFSorlando.org/hopechallenge, call (407) 644-7593, or mail to 2100 Lee Road, Winter Park, FL 32789. Thank you for supporting JFS Orlando as we build a stronger community together.