“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat”

(Matt. 25:35)

Yeshua our Messiah said: “The poor you always have with you, and whenever you wish, you can do them good” (Mk. 14:7).

Living in Jerusalem in the twenty-first century, we are privileged to be able to help the community in which we live in a very practical way. While we perhaps do not have as many widows as did the early community, we do have many people around us whom we can serve by “waiting on tables” (cf. Acts 6:1-6).

Netivyah’s soup kitchen began in 2000, when the need was recognized for material help and support, primarily within the community of believers. It was in this year that the Al-Aksa Intifada broke out, and all the violence directly damaged the country’s economy. We began to witness increasing numbers of people becoming unemployed and unable to earn enough to put bread on their tables. The strain on the economy was further increased by budget cuts and other measures, which impacted the lowest income families in the worst way. Over the years as the needs of the community have changed and we have adapted, our soup kitchen has become a food bank and now instead of giving prepared meals, we give families the ingredients to make the food they like at their home.

We thank God that He has provided us not only with “ministers of the word,” from whom we receive spiritual nourishment, but also with people of “good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom”, to whom we have entrusted the task of taking care of those in need. With these devoted workers we have been able to establish a soup kitchen which provides vegetables, fruit, meat and dry goods sufficient for a whole week at a time, to the needy. Over the last 10 years, our soup kitchen ministry has grown from about 12 regular weekly recipients to providing food for over 120 families per week. People receive food supplies once a week and use to cook their own meals at home. Depending on the number of adults and children who are old enough to eat a more "adult" quantity of food in a household, the family is assigned a number of "portions" that they receive every week. A family member usually comes to our facility on Wednesdays to pick up the correct number of portions for his or her household. Each weekly portion consists of 2 kilos of meat or fish, 2 kilos of fruits, 2 kilos of vegetables and 2 dry goods chosen from a wide selection. The idea is that each family member can have one good hot meal a day for a week with the food we give them. When all these numbers are calculated at the end of a month, the quantities are staggering. Each month we are distributing a total of 4.5 tons of food in this manner.

We are constantly adding new recipients who rely on the food bank to meet their basic nutritional needs, and the present economic situation shows no sign of immediate improvement. We are currently employing three full-time workers for the food bank alone so that we can keep up with the growing demand.

Of course, the growth of the soup kitchen is a constant challenge to our budget, yet we cannot bring ourselves to turn away the hungry. We would like to give you the opportunity of participating in this work of supplying the basic needs of people who have no means of their own and in seeing the Lord in those who are hungry and thirsty (cf. Mt. 25:31-46). We are concerned to be “doing good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith” (Gal. 6:10). If you would like to “remember the poor” (Gal. 2:10) with us, we and they would most grateful for your contribution. Those contributing through our US office receive tax deduction benefits.

Food Bank FAQ:

The following are a few of the most frequently asked questions about the Food Bank, and about the important work we do on behalf of Eretz Israel.

• Q. How many people does the Food Bank (and Netivyah) help?
  A. Throughout the year, more than 150 of Jerusalem’s poorest families turn to the Food Bank to meet their day-to-day needs.
• Q. How can I be sure that my contribution goes to those who are truly in need?
  A. With limited funds and so many in unfortunate circumstances, we are dedicated to ensuring that the recipients are all in genuine need. We rely on the recommendation of neighbors, friends, rabbis, pastors, and social workers to learn of those who require assistance and to verify their needs.
• Q. I would like to donate, but I don’t have very much to give. Will my contribution make a difference?
  A. Absolutely! Every penny which we receive ensures that we can buy the food and provisions which will be given out. We welcome any size donation, from the smallest to the largest.
• Q. Is my donation tax deductible?
  A. Yes. Anyone who contributes through our US office is eligible for tax deduction benefits.