Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’
-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Dr. King didn’t qualify life’s big question by socio-economic group, level of education, gender – or age. At a time when it would be reasonable for them to relax and bask in past mitzvahs, a dedicated group of seniors at the Polack Adult Day Center remains busy, doing for others.
Polack Day Center participants volunteer their time to do a quarterly food packaging program that benefits the Polack Food Bank. JFS receives bulk food donations and also makes bulk food purchases of items like grains and beans. Bulk product comes at a cost-savings, but it would be impossible for Food Bank staff to portion all the bulk product into single-household servings. They simply do not have the time since they are busy staffing the Food Bank and supporting Home Delivery service.
Originally, Polack Day Center Director Joanne Angel reached out to Director of Volunteer Services Jane Deer-Hileman to initiate a service opportunity that would help JFS clients, would meet the needs of her group and could also be done completely onsite at their facility.
“Jane has been wonderful,” says Angel. “She responded with this opportunity in January of 2009, and our group has been enjoying food packaging on a quarterly basis ever since. They love preparing the bags and feeling like they are giving back.”
“It is an extension of what they have done all of their lives – giving to and working for the community,” explains Angel. “They are the original donors in our community and in other communities. Food packaging for JFS gives them an opportunity to continue that tradition when they cannot run out and do it as they once did. It brings the opportunity to them.”
By Deb Frockt
Deb Frockt is Director of Marketing & Communications. She enjoys baking, beaching and learning about golf, both kinds of football, fashion and pop music from her husband and sons.
