As they have done for decades, Collat Jewish Family Services (CJFS) responded to the SNAP government shutdown crisis by mobilizing the vision and helping hands that have been at work in the city for decades.
“While we routinely respond to urgent needs in the community, it’s not often that we see a potential crisis of this scale. When something like this happens — a sudden gap in federal benefits that thousands of local families rely on — CJFS and our partners come together quickly to ensure people aren’t left without support. We’ve mobilized before during events like COVID-19 and natural disasters, and we’ll continue to do so whenever our community needs us,” says Anna Read, Fund Development and Outreach Director at CJFS.
“Serving older adults is a core part of CJFS’s mission — and it always will be. But our focus has expanded to meet the evolving needs of the entire community. In this situation, for example, our response includes seniors and families of all ages who are affected by the loss of SNAP benefits. When there’s a need in our community, CJFS steps up, regardless of age or circumstance,” Read says.
Even though the government was funded, CJFS remains watchful for any needs that need to be met. “We were focused on helping families get through this crisis, but experiences like this always shape how we grow. If there’s a continuing need, CJFS will continue to partner with other Jewish organizations to look for sustainable ways to keep supporting those who fall through the cracks.” she says.
