Help Stock the Soup Shelf in January During National Soup Month

January is National Soup Month and it’s time for our Annual 2024 “Soup”er Bowl of Caring.” During January and the first two weeks of February leading up to the televised championship football game, the JFS Food Pantry & Food Assistance Program will be collecting all things “Soup.”

You can join our team to help in our battle to fight hunger in our local community.  Here’s what you can hand off to us during this special non-perishable soup collection:

Meat based soup (beef, chicken all varieties)

Kid’s soup (chicken & stars, chicken & rice

Cream soup (cream of chicken, cream of mushroom, potato, clam chowder, cream of broccoli, split pea)

Dry soup mixes

Broths (chicken, beef, turkey, vegetable) cans or cartons

Low sodium or healthy soups

Single serve microwaveable soup

Kosher soup mixes

Organic soups

Donations can be dropped off at the JFS Food Pantry, 1440 Whalley Avenue, New Haven beginning January 3rd on Wednesday and Thursdays between 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. If you will be dropping off a large quantity of items, or need a different day and time, please contact us so we can schedule your donation drop off.  If you have any questions, please contact the Pantry at (203) 397-0796 or Sandy Hagan at shagan@jfsnh.org.

Upcoming Safe Space to Grieve Support Groups


Jewish Family Service of Greater New Haven is offering opportunities to participate in
community programs, an offering made possible by a generous Community IMPACT grant
from our Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven. SAFE SPACES TO GRIEVE is a community, peer-support approach to coping with and remembering loved ones who have died. The groups will be led by Certified Grief Educator Barb Segura, LPC.

For more information, or to register for any of the groups listed below, contact Barb Segura, LPC, or Dinesh Perera, LMFT, at griefgroups@jfsnh.org. You will receive zoom link and password.

COMMUNITY SPACE TO GRIEVE AND HEAL

SUNDAY October 22nd, 12 PM on ZOOM – THIS GROUP WILL MEET ONE TIME

MOURNING AND MITZVAH: ONGOING GROUP
This group meets twice a month and uses the guided journal Mourning and Mitzvah by
Rabbi Anne Brener, MAJCS MS, LCSW. This book will be provided free for the first 20 group participants who return to the second group meeting. The group will start November 7th from 3 PM – 4:30 PM and is scheduled the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month.


OPEN TOPIC GRIEF EXPLORATION GROUPS: WILL BE OFFERED FOUR TIMES
Group attendees with facilitator’s support, will be able to identify the most emergent topic
related to loss, grief, and healing. Topics range from a focus on personal and/or community
responses and impact from loss and grief.
Meeting Time: TUESDAYS 7 PM – 8:30 PM on ZOOM
November 14th, December 12th, January 9th, February 13th

Barb Segura, LPC creates a sacred space for healing and transformation. Grief is often unacknowledged in our fast paced, youth-oriented culture. The grief journey is an individual journey, as unique as fingerprints. If tended to, grief can guide our healing and enrich our lives. She provides grief education, consultation, coaching and facilitates support groups. Some support groups are offered specifically for the Jewish mourner.

National Hunger Action Month & High Holiday Food Donation Guidelines

September signifies back to school, cooler weather, the return of Pumpkin Spice food & coffee, Jewish High holidays and National Hunger Action Month.  Hunger Action Month highlights food insecurity and how individuals, businesses and organizations can and do help those in their community and beyond.

Feeding America estimates approximately 1 in 6 people turned to charitable food assistance for additional support in 2022. In its last Feeding America Map the Meal Gap survey, 16.3% of households in New Haven; 6.7% of households in Woodbridge; and 5.2% of households in Orange were food insecure. 

Since the start of 2023, the JFS Food Pantry has served 1530 duplicated households and helped an additional 202 new households seeking emergency food assistance from the above town and others in Greater New Haven county.   

In recognition of Hunger Action Month the JFS Food Pantry & Food Assistance Program will be collecting non-perishable foods to help stock the JFS Pantry shelves.  Here are the most requested foods and our food donation guidelines (especially if you will be donating to your local synagogue High Holiday food collection/drive): 

Cereal  (all types for adult and children)

Soups and broths (cans and boxed)

Canned meals/meats such as Canned Chicken, Stew, Chili, Chef Boyardee or store brand canned pasta

Boxed Pasta (angel hair, fettuccini, elbows, shells, bowties, rigatoni, orzo, ditalini, penne, ziti, bagged egg noodles, rotini, tri-color rotini, linguine, spaghetti, whole grain)

Gluten Free  pasta such as chick pea or lentil pasta

Condiments such as BBQ sauce; salad dressing; mayo; mustard; ketchup

Canned vegetables such as corn or creamed corn; sliced carrots; French style green beans; potatoes (diced, sliced or whole); beets; sauerkraut

Canned Fruits or fruit cups (especially those in water or light syrup/no sugar added) such as applesauce, mandarin oranges, pineapple (all types), pears, peaches, fruit cups.

Tea bags/Instant, decaf or regular coffee Things to Keep in Mind:  Avoid oversized containers and packaging, as they are awkward and difficult to carry and transport home by our pantry guests and many of our visitors are one and two member households.  Check and verify that all items are not past their use by/best buy or expiration date.   Please avoid glass containers, as they can break in transport or during processing.  Please remember, due to health and safety concerns we cannot accept any open/partial containers or boxes, repackaged items; or homemade items – this includes items without a label.  If you have any questions, please contact Sandy Hagan at shagan@jfsnh.org or 203-397-0796.

Now Offering…JAMP on the Shoreline! (Jewish Aging Mastery Program)



We’re thrilled by the community’s enthusiasm for this program and are delighted that so many of you signed up for the first round of JAMP (Jewish Aging Mastery Program)! The program’s first cohort at the JCC has reached capacity, but don’t worry…

  Registration is LIVE for another 12 week JAMP on the Shoreline!

  PLEASE DO NOT re-register for JAMP. If you have already registered, you will be receiving an email with a seat offer for the 2nd cohort. There is no need to register again.

  The Jewish Aging Mastery Program, brought to you by the National Council on Aging and Jewish Family Service, invites you to join us for an exceptional lineup of sessions that delve deep into the intricacies of aging. These sessions aim to provide you with valuable knowledge, practical insights, and strategies to enhance your well-being as you embrace the aging process! 

Each session will be led by knowledgeable experts in the field of aging and health, who will share their expertise, experiences, and evidence-based practices to further support and educate you. We are confident that these dynamic and lively sessions will empower you with the tools and information necessary to lead a fulfilling and vibrant life. 

The Jewish Aging Mastery Program is a 12 week program. Normally, such a program would be extremely costly. However, thanks to a generous Community Impact Grant from the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven, this program is FREE to you.   SIGN UP NOW!

Join us for twelve Mondays, January 8th – March 25th, 1:30-3:00 PM at Chabad of the Shoreline, NHMR, Guilford CT. Please ensure Zoom compatibility due to potential winter weather. Snacks will be provided.

  Spread the word — If this program isn’t for you, it’s for someone you know!
 Look for #JAMPGNH on our social media for more information about speakers, updates, and more.
Click the link below to SIGN UP NOW!

Click Here to Sign Up for JAMP and Choose Chabad of the Shoreline!

Contact Elanit Linder with Any Questions

Check Out JFS for More Adult Aging Education Opportunities

July Pantry Collection Focuses on Salad Ingredients

During the summer, people look for quick and easy meals that won’t keep them inside cooking in the hot weather.   This month the JFS Food Pantry is focusing on items which can be used in or on salads.  This includes the following non-perishable items: salad dressings, canned beets, sauerkraut, canned olives, cannellini beans, dark red kidney beans, chick peas, pigeon peas, canned potatoes, canned green beans, canned corn, pasta (for a pasta salad); solid white tuna or canned chicken.

Donations can be dropped off at the JFS Food Pantry, 1440 Whalley Avenue, New Haven throughout the month on Mondays – Thursdays between 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. or you can call (203) 397-0796 to schedule an alternative time. Questions can be directed to shagan@jfsnh.org

Grand Opening of Cafe J – May 22nd 11 a.m.

We are so excited to share some great news.  JFS is in a partnership with the JCC, Chapel Haven Schleifer

Center (CHSC) and the Towers at Towers Lane in the opening of Cafe J – A Café with a Cause!  Café J will offer internship opportunities to individuals with developmental and social disabilities. This is a perfect fit since CHSC provides lifelong individualized services for these individuals, empowering them to live independent and self-determined lives. The JCC is proud to provide employment opportunities at Café J for members of the CHSC community. Coupled with Jewish Family Service of Greater New Haven (JFS) who will be matching mentors to work alongside our Chapel Haven interns, this opportunity will offer an inclusive, and vibrant space for everyone in our community.

“At Café J, you’ll find one intern from CHSC working alongside a community mentor, fostering a supportive environment for skill-building and personal growth. By enjoying your favorite treats at Café J, you’re not only savoring fresh, delicious, (kosher) food and a wide variety of espresso drinks, but you’re also contributing to a meaningful cause.” 

“Our inviting café space is perfect for kids, families, and adults alike. Whether you want to catch up with friends or simply enjoy a peaceful moment with a good book, Café J is the place to be!”  

Join us on May 22nd for the grand opening at 11 a.m. Moving forward, Café J will be open Monday – Friday from 8 am – 2 pm. For information about mentoring a Chapel Haven student as part of the Café, contact Rachel Scolnic Dobin at rsdobin@jfsnh.org.   

Food Pantry May Wish List

May is a month with lots of celebrations – from Mother’s Day to preparing to honor upcoming graduates of all ages.  Everyone deserves a treat and you can help Pantry visitors celebrate their loved ones with a donation of boxed cake mixes, frosting and cookie mixes.

Also, during May our non-food collection item will be deodorant.  Items such as toiletries are not covered under SNAP and deodorant is a frequently requested item.  Both women and men’s deodorant is needed. Donations can be dropped off at the JFS Food Pantry, 1440 Whalley Avenue, New Haven on Wednesdays and Thursdays between 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. or you can call (203) 397-0796 to schedule an alternative time. Questions can be directed to shagan@jfsnh.org

Pantry Needs for March – National Nutrition Month

March is National Nutrition Month and the JFS Food Pantry is collecting foods that are of nutritional value to one’s health. Sometimes the foods that are considered the most nutritious (either by their ingredients, vitamin and mineral content, or how they are grown) are also the foods which are typically not donated to a food pantry.  

To help promote nutrition the Pantry will be collecting newly purchased shelf stable milk alternatives such as cartons of almond, rice, oat, or other nut based milks; boxed pasta made from chick peas, rice, or other vegetables; organic canned vegetables, organic beans or organic soups and broths.  Of course, the Pantry is always in need of other nutritious foods, especially whole grain cereals and small tubs of oatmeal (steel cut, regular and instant).   Donations can be dropped off at the JFS Food Pantry, 1440 Whalley Avenue, New Haven on Wednesdays and Thursdays between 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. or you can call (203) 397-0796 to schedule an alternative time. Questions can be directed to shagan@jfsnh.org

Amity Stop & Shop will Donate $1 for each Blooomin’ 4 Good Bouquet sold in March

We are so excited to share that the JFS Food Pantry has been selected to benefit from Stop & Shop’s Bloomin’ 4 Good Program, created to fight hunger across the communities they serve.


For the month of March, the JFS Food Pantry will receive $1 for each $10.99 bouquet in the sleeve marked “Bloomin’ 4 Good” from the Stop & Shop Amity (112 Amity Road New Haven). These colorful bouquets will brighten a home or make someone’s day while also supporting the JFS Food Pantry. It’s a win, win situation!

The Bloomin’ 4 Good Bouquets are located in the floral section of the store or you may ask the Amity Stop & Shop Florist for assistance.