By John Moskin
It is a relationship that started with heartbreak. The all-volunteer Excelsior Community Food Pantry lost its location. With hundreds of local families struggling through food insecurity, this vital, service-based non-profit no longer had a place to distribute their life-sustaining essentials to the neediest among us. Amelia Zimmermann Wolff and the other cofounders were devastated and starting to lose hope. Affordable rental space is hard to find anywhere in the Bay Area, but free space? That would take a miracle.
How SFCJL Became a Lifeline for the Excelsior Food Pantry
“Our pastor at the time did a lot of interfaith work with a friend who was a rabbi,” said Amelia. “And on this day the rabbi could see how sad she was and asked what was wrong. So, our pastor told her we were losing our space. Then, the rabbi asked what she could do. And our pastor said, ‘pray for us.’ Then the rabbi said, ‘I will. But what can I do for you?’”
Within a few days, the rabbi connected the food pantry with the now-retired rabbi at the San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living, Rabbi Sheldon Marder. “And it went from there. They welcomed us with open arms,” said Amelia. “And we are so grateful! It’s become a true community partnership.”
The pantry distributes free groceries in the Campus for Jewish Living’s parking lot every Saturday between 9 AM and 1 PM, “rain or shine,” year-round, including holidays. “We serve about 350 people every Saturday, though the need is greater,” said Amelia. But the food they provide is fresh and healthy. “We typically offer fruits and vegetables, a protein, like eggs, chicken thighs, fish, and some kind of grain.” The participants, who must register for the event in advance, come predominantly from local households, while the volunteers are from all backgrounds. They are students, families, seniors, and former participants who have come full circle and are now giving back to the program that served them in their time of need.
There are even volunteers who are SFCJL residents, such as Geraldine Nichols, “I did enjoy it. I was able to translate for community members who speak Spanish… helped unload and set up, greeted people and answered any questions they had,” said Geraldine. “It’s a worthwhile activity and so easy. It’s a valuable service… and so convenient for the residents to help and feel like we are a part of the community.”
The pantry distributes free groceries in the Campus for Jewish Living’s parking lot every Saturday between 9 AM and 1 PM, “rain or shine,” year-round, including holidays. “We serve about 350 people every Saturday, though the need is greater,” said Amelia. But the food they provide is fresh and healthy. “We typically offer fruits and vegetables, a protein, like eggs, chicken thighs, fish, and some kind of grain.” The participants, who must register for the event in advance, come predominantly from local households, while the volunteers are from all backgrounds. They are students, families, seniors, and former participants who have come full circle and are now giving back to the program that served them in their time of need. There are even volunteers who are SFCJL residents, such as Geraldine Nichols, “I did enjoy it. I was able to translate for community members who speak Spanish… helped unload and set up, greeted people and answered any questions they had,” said Geraldine. “It’s a worthwhile activity and so easy. It’s a valuable service… and so convenient for the residents to help and feel like we are a part of the community.”
“Our organization was born out of Jewish values. And that includes compassion, caring, respect, and dignity. But we serve everyone with no judgment… And our partnership with the food pantry is a great way for us to contribute, leave a social footprint, remind people who we are, and serve our community together.”
~Key Shade, Director of Volunteer Services
