Stories of Impact: Jewish Community Alliance
This case study is part of MANP’s Stories of Impact series highlighting the many ways Maine’s nonprofits are essential to a strong and healthy Maine. MANP’s full Adding Impact Report will be released on January 17, 2019.
Fostering inclusivity, at the forefront of the Jewish Community Alliance’s (JCA) mission, helps create a welcoming environment where all people and the economy can thrive. JCA cultivates openness and acceptance through education, advocacy, and a commitment to social justice.
Each year, the JCA provides resources to support the vibrancy and continuity of Jewish life in Maine including a library, preschool, and adult education.
In Maine, 183,310 people are grappling with hunger and 50,520 are children. That’s 1 in 7 people in Maine and 1 in 5 children. It is estimated that people experiencing hunger in Maine need $108,086,000 more per year to meet their food needs.*
JCA is one of multiple organizations in Maine providing assistance to individuals and families in Maine facing food insecurity:
- Volunteers provide over 2,000 hours of service per year with their time and talent.
- Food Pantry serves 700 individuals (166 families) facing food insecurity in the greater Portland area each month.
- Distributes over 53,000 pounds of food, 1,549 kosher meals on wheels, and 249,096 diapers in Maine annually.
- Through the Hanukkah Lights program, 140 children received warm clothes and toys.
*Data from Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap 2016 study.
