With the holiday season upon us, even amid challenges in the world, our hearts turn naturally toward joy, gratitude, and acts of generosity. This time of year, brings a renewed appreciation for the people around us – family, friends, and neighbors – and a desire to honor those connections through acts of kindness and giving.
Tuesday, December 3, offers you a chance to jumpstart the spirit of giving this year. Giving Tuesday, created in 2012, is a global movement celebrated the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Its goal is to shift focus from “consumer-driven days of Black Friday and Cyber Monday” to what this season is truly about “giving”. The impact is immense, with tens of millions of dollars raised and countless lives touched each year around the globe by rallying worldwide support causes close to people’s hearts.
At JFCS, Giving Tuesday is a crucial opportunity to help fight food insecurity for families in our community. Donations to JFCS through Giving Tuesday will support the Sonny & Janet Meyer Food Pantry, which provides essential food and resources to families in need across Louisville. By joining Giving Tuesday’s “Global Day of Giving”, you can help JFCS bring dignity and purpose to our neighbors facing food insecurity during the holidays and beyond.
Giving Tuesday is an ideal opportunity to touch many lives in Louisville. Every contribution to JFCS goes directly to enhancing and fueling our efforts to combat food insecurity in Louisville through our pantry.
Food insecurity is more prevalent in Louisville than many realize. JFCS distributes an average of 6,500 pounds of food a month, which is an increase of over 60% from three years ago.
According to the Greater Louisville Project, Louisville ranks second among its peer cities for children who are experiencing food insecurity, which is 17% of children in Louisville. Additionally, according to the Jewish Federation of North America, a study found that 19% of Jewish households in the United States are struggling to make ends meet.
The demand for services continues to grow. This includes demand at our main pantry location at JFCS, and our satellite pantry for the residents of Shalom Towers. People of all ages, backgrounds, and circumstances rely on the pantry to provide not only supplemental meals, household and personal hygiene items, but also a sense of dignity and stability. For some families, a visit to our pantry means the difference between being hungry and having a meal.
Beyond providing food, The Sonny & Janet Meyer Food Pantry acts as a gateway to additional JFCS services. Many families who first come to us for food assistance also wind up benefiting from our case management services, mental health services, career services, and support groups, all of which help them overcome barriers and work toward long-term goals.
Every donation you make to JFCS on Giving Tuesday will go directly to expanding the resources and reach of our food pantry. For example:
- $25 provides shelf stable items for our community members!
- $100 provides household items and cleaning supplies to families!
- $250 provides food for a family of four for an ENTIRE month!
- $1500 provides food for a family of four for SIX months!
- $3000 provides a family of four for an ENTIRE year!
Your generosity has a lasting impact, as it not only fills pantry shelves but also brings relief and hope to families facing hardship.
Join us in the fight against food insecurity! Tuesday, December 3, let’s come together for Giving Tuesday, and strengthen Louisville’s commitment to compassion and community. By supporting JFCS and the Sonny & Janet Meyer Food Pantry, you’re helping us provide food, resources, and care to families in need.
Visit our website at www.jfcslouisville.org on December 3 and join your friends and neighbors making a difference on Giving Tuesday with a gift to the Sonny & Janet Meyer Food Pantry.
Thank you for standing with JFCS and making a difference in the lives of your neighbors.
JFCS Annual Campaign Celebrates ‘Legacy & Growth’
Each fall, as the holiday season approaches, Jewish Family & Career Services (JFCS) launches its yearly “Annual Campaign”, inviting community partners and supporters who believe in our mission to make a financial gift that allows JFCS to continue providing essential services to our community. These investments allow JFCS to continue fostering growth and securing a legacy of care for future generations. This year, our theme is “Legacy & Growth,” reflecting on the strong foundation we have built since 1908 and continuing to expand our services to meet the most immediate needs of our Community.
Why is the Annual Campaign so important for JFCS?
For organizations like JFCS, our Annual Campaign is the lifeblood of our operations. Our Annual Campaign is a reflection of who we are as an organization an organization that believes that every investment makes an impact, and every supporter helps further JFCS’ mission and vision. These gifts support our critical day-to-day operations, ensuring that our services remain accessible to anyone in need.
Every dollar given to the Annual Campaign is a step toward fulfilling our mission to help individuals and families in Greater Louisville live with dignity and purpose. From mental health services to career coaching, from senior care to food assistance, the breadth of JFCS’ impact would not be possible without the generosity of our community.
Over the past three years, JFCS has seen tremendous growth, both in terms of the services we provide and the number of people we serve. We’ve increased our full-time staff by 50%, allowing us to meet the growing demand for our services. Our annual budget has increased by 65%, reflecting the broader scope of our work. And last year, we distributed over 74,000 pounds of food through the Sonny & Janet Meyer Food Pantry – making JFCS a critical resource for many families in our community.
This growth is not limited to any one program. In three years, our Clinical Services have expanded by 196%, helping more individuals navigate mental health challenges. Our Klein Older Adult programs have grown by nearly 100%, ensuring that seniors in our community receive the support they need to age with dignity. Our Career Services have grown by 174%, significantly increasing programming available for refugees and immigrants.
These numbers reflect the increasing need for the services JFCS provides, and underscore why our Annual Campaign is so crucial for meeting the needs in our community. Without the consistent support of our donors, we would not be able to continue this upward trajectory.
While growth is essential to continue to be flexible to meet Louisville’s needs, ensuring the legacy of JFCS for future generations is equally important. We know that we stand on the shoulders of giants and are reminded of this daily as we work in the Louis and Lee Roth Family Center that was built by so many in our community. The vision of those individuals is one we are experiencing today and we want to continue that legacy for generations to come.
Every gift allows us to continue this legacy through lasting growth. Whatever amount you are able to give, your support helps us provide services that are life-changing for individuals and families. Every gift matters and will impact our mission. We invite you to join us on our mission and make a gift to the JFCS Annual Campaign today.
As we reflect on our legacy and look to the future, we are deeply grateful to everyone who has supported us through the years. Together, we can continue building a stronger, more vibrant, and inclusive community.
Thank you for your continued support of JFCS. Your investment ensures that our legacy of service will continue to grow, touching lives and making a difference in ways big and small.
To make your mark on JFCS’ legacy click here >
Rediscovering Our Past: The Oral History Project
Our personal stories are what make us unique. They are what define each of us, and they also connect us to others. Sharing stories of our personal journeys is a powerful way to preserve our histories. It empowers us to leave a lasting legacy for future generations, helping others understand the richness of our experiences. This is exactly the mission of the JFCS Oral History Project.
The Oral History Project began in 2001 with a simple but profound goal: to capture and archive the stories of Louisville’s Jewish community, so that the community’s legacies would not be lost. Over the years, members of the community – from families with deep roots in Louisville to immigrants, all with diverse Jewish backgrounds – have documented a wide range of experiences. By 2017, JFCS had completed 207 interviews, all of which currently reside at the Filson Historical Society.
JFCS is excited to announce the relaunch of the Oral History Project this fall! This time, the project will be even more expansive, featuring a new partnership with the University of Louisville to craft meaningful interview questions that delve into Jewish identity, careers, family life, religious rituals, and even experiences with antisemitism. Our goal remains the same as it did back in 2001: to ensure that these stories not only preserve individual memories, but also serve as a resource to better understand the Jewish Community.
Through these efforts, we hope to capture the stories of more individuals in 2025, creating a vibrant tapestry of voices that will contribute to the larger understanding of Jewish life and identity in Louisville.
But this project isn’t just about collecting history; it’s also about connection. For our seniors, sharing personal stories can be a deeply meaningful experience, enhancing their senses of belonging and well-being. By aligning this project with the JFCS Klein Older Adult program, our goal is to provide a valuable outlet for older adults to reflect on their lives and share their wisdom with others.
Now we need your help! Whether you’re interested in becoming a volunteer or feel inspired to share your own story or that of a loved one, we invite you to join us in this important endeavor. In January, we will hold a volunteer training for anyone who would like to interview individuals and capture their stories. By participating, you’ll help us preserve the voices of the past and build a bridge to the future.
If you would like to volunteer or share your story, please reach out to us at cevans@jfcslouisville.org, or mklecner@jfcslouisville.org. Together, we can ensure that the legacy of Louisville’s Jewish community endures for generations to come.
Food insecurity is a harsh reality for many families, seniors, and individuals in our community. As we approach the High Holidays, JFCS is once again launching our annual “Feeding Families Food Drive,” a vital initiative that supports the JFCS Sonny & Janet Meyer Food Pantry.
Beginning on Rosh Hashanah, local synagogues will begin collecting non-perishable food items at their locations. The drive culminates on October 20, when JFCS will be open for drop-off donations and will hold a special event. The Family Mitzvah Day will be an opportunity for families to come together to help process donations — sorting, weighing, and stocking the pantry shelves to serve our Louisville community.
The importance of food security cannot be overstated. When people don’t have reliable access to nutritious food, the effects can be devastating for the whole family. Children have difficulty focusing on schoolwork and retaining information. Seniors face worsening health issues, and families are sometimes forced to make an impossible choice between buying groceries or paying rent. The stress of not knowing where the next meal will come from can also lead to long-term mental health challenges.
The JFCS Sonny & Janet Meyer Food Pantry plays a crucial role in addressing food insecurity in Greater Louisville. While the demand for all our services has never been higher, reflecting the growing need in our community (JFCS served over 2,300 people last year — a 20% increase from the previous year), our food pantry has seen exponential growth in requests for assistance. Last year, we distributed more than 74,000 pounds of food, a 50% increase over the last two years. Two years ago, in response to this rising demand, we expanded our food pantry by opening a satellite office at Shalom Towers, highlighting JFCS’ commitment of meeting the community where they are. But we need your help!
The JFCS Sonny & Janet Meyer Food Pantry is unique in that it operates as a “choice pantry,” allowing clients to shop one-on-one with a JFCS staff member or dedicated volunteers and select items their families will enjoy. This model prioritizes the dignity of our clients, offering them the ability to choose foods that meet their health, cultural, and personal preferences, rather than receiving a pre-packed bag of items. By providing this choice, we ensure that the food we distribute not only nourishes but also empowers those we serve with dignity and purpose.
Our “Feeding Families Food Drive” is an opportunity for the entire community, not just members of the Jewish community, to come together and make a difference. You can participate by dropping off donations at any participating synagogue starting on October 2. Or, if you’re unable to make it to a synagogue, you can drop off donations at JFCS (2821 Klempner Way) on October 20 between 1pm and 3pm. We have a list of the most-needed items available here >.
In addition to donating food, we are also in need of volunteers on October 20 to help us in sorting, weighing, and stocking the donations that come in that day. Many of our supporters use this as another way of giving back, or a Family Mitzvah opportunity. Volunteering is a meaningful way to support the community, and we welcome individuals and families to join. If you’re interested in volunteering, please reach out to Michelle Klecner at mklecner@jfcslouisville.org.
At JFCS, our vision is that all in Greater Louisville live with dignity and purpose. By ensuring that everyone in our community has access to the food they deserve, we help create a more just, compassionate, and supportive society.
Please join us in this important work. Together, we can make a significant impact on the lives of those who need it most.