Volunteer Opportunity

How the Arizona Kosher Food Pantry Changed My Life

I first walked into the Arizona Kosher Food Pantry during one of the most stressful periods of my life. I had just lost my SNAP benefits. With three children at home, I earned too much to qualify for assistance, yet not enough to confidently buy groceries, pay rent and utilities, and cover all the other expenses that come with raising a family. Every week became a balancing act, and food was the thing that kept slipping through the cracks.

The day I came to the pantry, the woman at the front desk greeted me with kindness instead of judgment. She packed a cart full of nutritious fruits and vegetables, canned goods, and staples—enough to feed my family for weeks. Then she told me something I will never forget:

“Come back next week. And if you call before you come, I’ll have everything ready so you can just pick it up and get back to work.”

Since 1972, the Jewish Community Foundation has been helping people support Jewish and secular causes that matter most to them. As the largest resource for Jewish philanthropy in Greater Phoenix, the JCF plays a crucial role in our community. For more information about the Jewish Community Foundation, visit the website.

That small act of dignity changed everything.

A little later, Laura from the pantry asked if we needed Shabbos dinner. I had tried to create a traditional Shabbos for my family, but by the time the bills were paid, there was simply nothing left for challah, chicken, or the foods that make Friday night feel sacred. I was terrible at making my own challah, and the pantry stepped in—quietly, kindly, without hesitation.

Those Friday nights became the heart of our home. We sat together, said the blessings, and—for the first time in a long while—put our electronics away and simply enjoyed each other’s company. We read books, played games, talked, and laughed. The pantry didn’t just give us food; it gave us family time, peace, and connection.

When summer arrived and school let out, Laura asked if I could work the front desk for a few months. I said yes. That summer changed me. I volunteered Monday through Friday, checking people in, helping them choose groceries, and listening to their stories. I got to put food on the tables of thousands of people and witness the relief and gratitude in their eyes. For many of them, it meant one less thing to panic about.

It was a blessing—one I didn’t expect.

Today, I work behind the scenes at the pantry: organizing, tracking our numbers, posting on Facebook and Instagram, supporting programs, and helping keep things running. I’ve watched our guest count grow steadily. I’ve heard stories of struggle, resilience, and hope. And I’ve seen firsthand how a bag of food, a smile, or a warm conversation can put light back into someone’s life.

We now help approximately 2,000 people every month—and every one of them matters.

The pantry didn’t just support my family through a difficult time. It shaped who I am. It gave me purpose. It reminded me how powerful a community can be. And it continues to impact me every single day as I see the difference we make in the lives of others.

This pantry fed my family, lifted my spirits, and brought me into a community I now have the privilege of serving.

I walked in needing help. I stayed because helping others has become one of the greatest gifts of my life.