Jewish Family Service of New Mexico

Jewish Family Services Receives Federal Stimulus Dollars to Serve Needy

Do you know of anyone who is having difficulty paying their utility bills or is in need of food to feed their families? If so, please have them call Jewish Family Service of New Mexico (JFS)—we can help!

Jewish Family Service of New Mexico (JFS) received more than $20,450 in federal stimulus dollars from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) to purchase additional food supplies for JFS’ Jewish Community Food Pantry and to provide additional funding for JFS’ Utility Assistance Program. These dollars compliment the $34,245 in regular annual funding JFS receives for these programs. FEMA has provided nearly $55,000 of funding to JFS for these two programs since October 2008, and all funds must be spent or otherwise distributed to the community by October 2009.

JFS is committed to distributing these resources to needy individuals in our community, and we need your help to make it happen. If you know of anyone who is in need of utility assistance, please have them call the utility assistance line at 348-4480. Those who are in need of food should call the Food Pantry line at 291-1818 extension 6000.

The Jewish Community Food Pantry has already provided food boxes to 2,663 individuals and 1,015 families in the six months of this calendar year. For fiscal year 2008/2009 ending June 30, 2009, JFS served 5,994 individuals—1,199 more people than it helped in the previous fiscal year. The Food Pantry plays a significant role in helping promote the food security of an increasing number of families who reside in our service area. It should be noted that JFS’ Food Pantry can only serve persons residing in the following zip codes: 87109, 87110, 87111, 87112, 87113, 87122, and 87123.

JFS’ Utility Assistance Programs helps pay the utility bills of low income individuals residing in Bernalillo County. Since October 2008, JFS has helped 150 persons and it has enough funding to help approximately 100 more by October 2009. The average utility assistance payment is $150. JFS is the only recipient of FEMA funds for utility assistance in Bernalillo County.

Neither FEMA nor any other funding agent allows for any funding to cover the administrative costs associated with administering these programs. Therefore, JFS relies on the contributions of its donors to support the administrative costs, and the service of volunteers to provide the staffing required for management of these programs. JFS appreciates the contributions and service of its donors and volunteers. Volunteers make these programs a reality and such a success and JFS would like to recognize the persons who give so generously of their time. The Utility Assistance Program is entirely run by the following volunteers: Diane Hinte, Jack Ning, Lisa Jackson, and Cameron Crane. The Food Pantry is coordinated by JFS staff person, Debbie Garduno, and staffed with the following volunteers: Carole Beckhoff, Peter Bernstein, Alex Borowski, Iris Casagna, Laura Cline, Connie Dudon, Carole Kohn, Veronica Mercer, Megan Morris, Rivka Rabinovich, Michael Reinke, Caitlyn Silvas, Carrie Silvas, Sarah Silvas, Rosalie Simon, Stuart Simon, Lea Wilson, and Marci Witkowski.

Please call Michael at 348-4503 if you wish to support these or other JFS programs with contributions or volunteer service, or if you have any questions.