JCCGCI Chanukah Distribution Benefits Hundreds of Low-Income Brooklynites

The eight days of Chanukah are a joyous time, filled with good food, celebrations with family, and reflections on miracles, both ancient and modern. But for those who are struggling financially, holidays can also be a challenging time, compelling them to forgo some of the usual traditions and experiences.

At Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island (JCCGCI), we distributed hundreds of food packages to low-income Brooklynites, enabling them to celebrate the holiday with dignity and joy. Contained in the packages were all the Chanukah essentials – including oil, potatoes, challah, latke mix, fish, fresh produce, applesauce, and sour cream.

More than 720 Chanukah food packages were distributed, benefitting 930 individuals, of whom 887 were senior citizens, 39 were low-income adults, and 4 were children. Dozens of volunteers assisted in the effort, including teens from Yeshiva of Flatbush High School and Barkai Yeshiva, staff members and volunteers from New York City Department for the Aging, community activists, elected officials, and local residents. The distribution was coordinated by JCCGCI Special Assistant Sara Chamama, who managed the team of staff and volunteers, ensuring that the multi-day endeavor ran smoothly for all, particularly in light of the freezing winter temperatures that persisted throughout the week.

Rabbi Moshe Wiener, Executive Director of Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island, said, “For those who are struggling financially, holidays can be an especially painful time. Here at JCCGCI, we’re working to ease that pain by working with our partners at Met Council to distribute traditional holiday food to our neediest neighbors. We recognize how hard it can be to ask for help, and work diligently to distribute these food packages with the utmost respect and dignity for our recipients. Many thanks to JCCGCI’s dedicated staff and volunteers for ensuring that hundreds were able to celebrate the holiday joyfully.”

These food packages are enabled by the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty’s “Kosher Food Network” (the largest kosher food network in the country), the Food Bank for New York City, United Way of New York City’s HPNAP (Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program) and private donations. Our ability to conduct these distributions has been significantly enhanced by the support of NYC Council and the leadership of the City Council’s Brooklyn Delegation and Councilmember Ari Kagan.