JFCS - The LJD Jewish Family & Community Services

11/06/2026

HEALTHY COMMUNITIES BEGIN WITH FOOD SECURITY

WithThanksgiving just around the corner, November is an opportunity to recognize the important connection between access to nutritious food, good health, and financial stability.

Did You Know?

According to the Florida Department of Health, 14.7% of Duval County residents experienced food insecurity in 2023. For households already managing tight budgets, maintaining access to balanced meals can be especially challenging.

Through our Max Block Food Pantry and satellite locations, JFCS helps individuals and families access nutritious groceries, providing greater stability and the opportunity to make healthy food choices.

Learn more about our food assistance efforts and how you can help support our neighbors at https://jfcsjax.org/Hunger.

Source: https://tinyurl.com/ykntusbz

11/05/2026

🎁GIVING FROM THE HEART IS A GIFT🎁

JFCS HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING PROGRAM - NOW UNTIL DEC 7

The JFCS Holiday Gift Giving program is underway! For many children in our community, the holidays are missing the excitement of presents under the tree. Some are living in foster care, some have experienced abuse or neglect, and others come from families struggling just to put food on the table. Without the kindness of others, many of these children may have little to open this holiday season.

This is where YOU can make a difference.

Every year, generous donors help JFCS bring holiday joy to thousands of local children and seniors. But we cannot do it without you. Every child deserves to experience the excitement of receiving a gift chosen just for them, and every Holocaust survivor deserves to know that our community continues to care.

A special thank-you to our incredible volunteers and their dedicated leader, Gayle Bailys, whose philosophy, “Give until your heart is content,” inspires so many others to give.

TWO WAYS TO SHARE THE JOY:

1. You can shop for gifts to sponsor either a child or senior, then deliver the gifts to JFCS. Email us at [email protected] for more information.

2. Or, simply make a donation through the secure form on our website at https://JFCSJax.org/Holidays.

JFCS serves thousands of people of all faiths across our community. This season, be the reason someone believes good things are still possible. Give from the heart today, and help us wrap our neighbors in warmth, dignity, and hope. 💙

10/30/2026

📣NEW PANTRY PICKS FOR NOVEMBER!📣

The Max Block Food Pantry helps to provide much-needed food items to our local neighbors. Our continued success in that mission depends on your generous donations!

This month, we have specific needs at the following locations:

PANTRY PICKS JACKSONVILLE
Needed: Ravioli, Ramen, Pasta, and Cereal

Allison Stein Robbins Building
6261 Dupont Station Ct
Jacksonville, FL 32217
Mon-Fri, 8:30am - 5:00pm

PANTRY PICKS MACCLENNY
Needed: Pasta Sauce, Ravioli, Mac & Cheese, and Mashed Potatoes

Keller Center, 420 S 8th Street, Macclenny, FL
Wed 11:00am - 1:00pm | Fri 10:00am - 12:00pm

Donations to the Max Block Food Pantry can be dropped off at either of our locations during the week at the days and times above. Thank you for your support! 💙

#904

10/30/2026

SUPPORTING FAMILIES THROUGH COMPLEX CHALLENGES

For households already stretched thin, a cancer diagnosis can offset daily routines, food accessibility, and financial stability. The ripple effects can be felt by family members and friends who may step in to provide transportation, prepare meals, help manage appointments, or offer day-to-day support throughout treatment and recovery.

As Breast Cancer Awareness Month comes to a close, we support those fighting cancer and recognize the family members, friends, and caregivers standing beside them. JFCS provides services that can help eligible households address food, financial, housing, and other immediate needs, especially when life-changing circumstances like these arise.

Learn more about our comprehensive family services at https://jfcsjax.org.

10/29/2026

🎂💙 BECAUSE EVERY CHILD DESERVES TO KNOW THEY'RE WORTH CELEBRATING

THANK YOU to all our wonderful sponsors and volunteers who helped make our third-quarter Foster Kids' Birthday Event a huge success!

First launched in Fall 2019, our Foster Kids' Birthday Program was created to give teenagers in foster care something every young person deserves: a birthday celebration that's uniquely their own.

As JFCS CEO Colleen Rodriguez shares: “I think it's important that we're letting our kids know we're thankful they're alive and they're here and that they're worth celebrating.”

For many of us, birthdays mean cake, presents, and time spent with people who care about us. But for some teenagers in foster care, those simple celebrations have never been part of their lives. When JFCS learned that many young people in foster care in Northeast Florida had never experienced a birthday celebration, we knew we wanted to change that.

Though the program experienced interruptions over the years, including the COVID-19 pandemic, its purpose never changed. Now, in 2026, we've brought that tradition back with quarterly celebrations, starting with the event we held last week. With pizza, yummy snacks, personalized birthday cakes, and fun activities including an AWESOME game truck from our friends at Game Time Jax, we helped these teens create joyful memories, foster meaningful connections, and know that they are seen, they are appreciated, and that each of their lives matter.🎉

A huge thank you to our wonderful volunteers: Emily Bellock, Cecilia Cristol, Holly Emas, Robin Lanigan, Bethany Leonard, Rachel Sandler, Ilene Schinasi, Fran Selevan, Debra Setzer and Cathy Stupski for generously providing gifts and birthday cakes and helping make each teen feel special and celebrated.

Learn more about how JFCS supports children, teens, and families throughout Northeast Florida at https://jfcsjax.org.

10/29/2026

SNAP CUTS INCREASE LOCAL DEMAND FOR FOOD PANTRIES

“There’s a Jewish value, Tikkun Olam, to repair the world, to make the world around you better. And that’s the mission that drives us."

JFCS CEO Colleen Rodriguez recently joined This Week in the 904 on Action News Jax to discuss the growing demand, the impact of potential funding cuts, and how JFCS is helping local families, seniors, and individuals facing food insecurity.

As changes to SNAP place additional strain on Northeast Florida families, the need for food assistance continues to grow.

Last fiscal year, JFCS distributed more than 415,000 meals to over 46,000 individuals through our Max Block Food Pantry and satellite locations — a 45% increase in meals provided over the previous year.

With the support of our donors, volunteers, and community partners, we remain committed to ensuring that no one in our community faces hunger alone. 💙

Learn more about the Max Block Food Pantry, including how to receive assistance or support our work, at https://jfcsjax.org/Hunger.

Watch the full news segment here:
https://bit.ly/47NLOT5

10/28/2026

10/22/2026

WHEN HEALTH COSTS RISE, FOOD SUPPORT CAN HELP
Good nutrition is important during cancer treatment, but keeping nutritious food in the home can become more difficult when a household is also managing medical expenses, missed work, transportation costs, and other financial pressures.

Did You Know?

Here in Duval County, 14.7% of residents experience food insecurity, a reminder that many local households are already balancing limited food budgets before an unexpected health challenge enters the picture.

Through the Max Block Food Pantry, JFCS provides access to nutritious groceries and helps families stretch limited household resources further.

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we are reminded that a health challenge can affect many parts of family life, and practical support can make a meaningful difference.

Learn more about the Max Block Food Pantry and other JFCS resources at https://jfcsjax.org.

Source: https://bit.ly/4rWUwrl

10/19/2026

10/16/2026

Tabling at today's Northeast Florida State Hospital employee fair to let everyone know about the great things we're doing to support the Baker County community!

To find out about all of our programs, visit: jfcsjax.org