Frequently Asked Questions

About JRA

Q: What is the Jewish Relief Agency?
A: The Jewish Relief Agency is the largest provider of food assistance to the Jewish poor in the Greater Philadelphia region.  Our monthly food distributions assist over 2,200 low-income Jewish households.

Q: What does the Jewish Relief Agency do?
A: The Jewish Relief Agency brings together hundred of volunteers one Sunday each month at our warehouse in Northeast Philadelphia.  The volunteers work together in assembly lines to package boxes of kosher non-perishable food.  Once the boxes are packed, the volunteers load up their cars and deliver the food to over 2,200 low-income Jewish households. 

Food Distributions

Q: How does the distribution work?
A: Volunteers arrive at the warehouse at 10:00.  They sign in at the computers in the office area and are assigned a delivery route.  Volunteers may choose from among the available routes.  Food packing takes place in the warehouse.  There are 4 assembly lines.  Some volunteers stand at each of the food stations and place individual food items in boxes as other volunteers carry boxes along the assembly lines.  Other volunteer jobs include assembling boxes, sealing boxes, loading boxes into cars.

Q: What's the time commitment?
A: Approximately three hours.  You arrive at 10:00, help pack boxes for about an hour, load your car and deliver.  You should be done no later than 1:00, often earlier.

Q: Is this an appropriate activity for my kids?
A: Absolutely.  We welcome all volunteers, from age 2 to 92 and up.  Smaller children enjoy standing in the assembly line, placing food items into each of the boxes as they are carried through the assembly line.

Q. Where are the deliveries made?
A. Most are made in Northeast Philadelphia.  Others are made in other neighborhoods in Philadelphia or in the suburbs.  No one is going to ask you to go to a neighborhood or town you're uncomfortable with.

Q: I am not familiar with the area.  Can I still deliver?
A: Yes, we provide address, maps and driving directions to enable volunteers to deliver packages throughout our delivery area.

Q: I have a very small car.  Can I still deliver?
A: Yes, some of our delivery routes contain only one or two packages.  You can also team up with another volunteer and work together to deliver a larger route.

Q: What do I do if I already signed up for the next distribution and I can't make it?
A: If you are unable to come to a distribution that you have already signed up for, please let us know by phone or email as soon as possible.  This is especially important if you have reserved a route so that we can be sure to assign the delivery route to another volunteer.  If it is the morning of the distribution and you are unable to come, please call the warehouse and let us know so that we can release your route to another volunteer.  The warehouse phone number is 215-676-2902.

Q. Can I bring friends?  Does it matter if they are not signed up beforehand?
A. Absolutely bring anyone who is interested.  While we would like as many people as possible to sign up beforehand (it helps us administratively), we welcome anyone who wants to help.   

Q. I've got a group who may be interested in coming.  Who do I call?
A. Call the JRA office at 610-660-0190.

Food

Q: Where does the food come from?
A: JRA obtains about 65% of the food we distribute through the State Food Purchase Program.  Our grant is administered through SHARE, who handles the purchase and delivery of food for our monthly distributions.  The rest of the food is donated by corporations or purchased by JRA.

Q: Can I donate food to JRA?
A: JRA does not accept donations of food in small quantities, such as items collected through school and community food drives.  JRA will accept donations of non-perishable, kosher food items in quantities of 2000 units or more.  Please contact the JRA office for more information.

Q: Are there specific kashrut requirements for the food distributed by JRA?
A: Yes, JRA requires that all food meet strict guidelines.  For a list of acceptable kashrut certifications, please contact the JRA office.

Clients

Q: What do people have to do to get on the food distribution list?
A: The Jewish Relief Agency operates under the belief that, when someone is in need and asks for food, we provide it without asking them to provide financial information.  A person in need of food assistance can call our client phone line at 610-660-9JRA (9572) and leave their name, address and phone number.  Someone from the agency will call the person back to confirm the information. 

Q: Who are we serving?  Do I need to know a foreign language?
A: Our clientele is primarily but not exclusively Russian emigrants.  Almost all of our clients are Jewish.  Often they know little English.  However, you will be given a few Russian catch phrases before you deliver the food and, more importantly, our clients know you are coming and they are expecting you.  A lot can be accomplished with a few words and smiles.

Funding

Q: Where does JRA get its money?
A:  JRA receives generous support from Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, Citizens Bank, The Kopelman Foundation, Shoprite Partners in Caring Program, The Tuttleman Foundation, and many other individuals, foundations and corporations.

B'nai Mitzvah Program

Q: What are the requirements of the B'nai Mitzvah program?
A: Participants in JRA's B'nai Mitzvah program can sign up by emailing or calling the JRA office. You will attend two distributions to learn the system and help out.  You will then invite your family and friends (your team) to join you at a distribution.  You will meet your team at the warehouse on the assigned date and lead them in a meaningful and enjoyable distribution in celebration of your big day.

Q: What do I get for participating in the B'nai Mitzvah program?
A: The most important thing you get is the knowledge that you have helped someone in need.  You also get credit for you Bar/Bat Mitzvah project, a JRA certificate, JRA t-shirt and cap and your picture on the Wall of Honor in our warehouse.

For more information on JRA’s B’nai Mitzvah program or to register, call or send an email to the JRA office and we will mail an information packet to you.

Q: How do I sign up for the B'nai Mitzvah Program?
A: Sign up by calling or sending an email to the JRA office to have an information packet mailed to you.

Q: Do I have to give money to be part of the B'nai Mitzvah program?
A: You are not required to give any money to be part of the program.  However, JRA encourages all families to make a donation in honor of their child's Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

Clothing Program

Q: How can I donate clothing?
A: JRA runs an ongoing clothing donation program.  Clothing donors are encouraged to bring bags of clothing to the monthly JRA food distribution.  For donors who are unable to drive to the warehouse, JRA can often arrange for a volunteer to pick up donated clothing at the donor's home.  Please contact the JRA office directly if you are interested in arranging a clothing pick up at your home.

Q: What does JRA do with the clothing?
A: JRA sells the clothing to company that resells the clothing overseas. This is similar to the system used by the Salvation Army and Purple Heart.  JRA uses the money raised through the sale of clothing to purchase food for our clients.

Q:  Why type of clothing can I donate?
A:  JRA accepts men's, women's and children's clothing, along with paired shoes (no high heels), and household linens.  All donated items should be placed in large plastic garbage bags.