Federation’s COVID-19 Community Response Fund has provided urgently needed support to vulnerable people in Jewish communities throughout the greater St. Louis area, including food, mental health services, and economic assistance. The fund has also helped to meet the critical technology needs of our Jewish communal organizations so that they can continue to operate during these challenging times. Because of your generosity, we can continue to provide these resources to members of our Jewish community who face hardships because of the pandemic and ensure that our community can continue to thrive.

One hundred percent of your donation funds our COVID-19 community response efforts.

As we move past the crisis phase and into the maintenance and recovery phase of our communal response efforts, we will continue to use the Response Fund to support basic human needs, while also taking a closer look at how the Federation can support the Jewish vibrancy of our community and the organizational infrastructure that supports it.

Federation is actively monitoring international, national, statewide, and local updates on COVID-19. To keep our community connected, we are also hosting online opportunities for virtual learning and engagement and resources for congregational service livestreams.

Click here to see an overview of where the funds have been invested so far.

Federation’s COVID-19 Community Response Fund has provided urgently needed support to vulnerable people in Jewish communities throughout the greater St. Louis area, including food, mental health services, and economic assistance. The fund has also helped to meet the critical technology needs of our Jewish communal organizations so that they can continue to operate during these challenging times. Because of your generosity, we can continue to provide these resources to members of our Jewish community who face hardships because of the pandemic and ensure that our community can continue to thrive.

One hundred percent of your donation funds our COVID-19 community response efforts.

As we move past the crisis phase and into the maintenance and recovery phase of our communal response efforts, we will continue to use the Response Fund to support basic human needs, while also taking a closer look at how the Federation can support the Jewish vibrancy of our community and the organizational infrastructure that supports it.

Federation is actively monitoring international, national, statewide and local updates on COVID-19. To keep our community connected, we are also hosting online opportunities for virtual learning and engagement and resources for congregational service livestreams.

Click here to see an overview of where the funds have been invested so far.

COVID-19 Response Fund Impact Update


More than 480 donors have given to the fund, which was started with a $100,000 donation from Carol and Michael Staenberg. Thanks to support from these generous community members, and a match from Jewish Federations of North America, the fund has reached over $950,000!

See how the fund has helped vulnerable members of the Jewish community and supported Jewish organizations’ ability to continue serving our community.

 

Government Affairs


In service to our Core Commitment to secure the well-being and safety of individuals within the Jewish community, we are continually monitoring both state and federal policies that directly impact the social and humanitarian services for our community. The documents below are a special Federation government affairs update that include COVID-19 relief opportunities:

 

Open Funding Opportunity: Food Security


The Board of Directors has designated $75,000 to meet the needs of the Jewish community’s food insecure families and individuals due to the current crisis.

  • PURPOSE: To ensure that no Jewish individuals/households are food insecure during the pandemic. These funds will be used to reimburse Jewish organizations who are providing food or meals to those who are unable to pay some or all of the cost during the COVID-19 crisis (beginning March 2020).
  • ELIGIBILITY: All Jewish organizations providing food/meals to Jewish households who are in need due to COVID-19.
  • PROCESS & TIMELINE: Organizations can submit reimbursement requests by completing this spreadsheet and emailing it to Emily Bornstein. Organizations can submit requests every other week for reimbursement. Funds are available on a rolling basis. Staff will review submitted requests every two weeks and make reimbursement decisions.

If you have any questions, please contact your Community Impact liaison or Emily Bornstein at EBornstein@JFedSTL.org or 314-448-6303.

 

Need Assistance?


JFS (formerly Jewish Family & Children’s Services) provides cash assistance and interest-free loans to help individuals and families cope with short-term crisis situations. With funding from the Jewish Federation of St. Louis’ Community Response Fund, JFS has established a COVID-19 Emergency Fund that is intended to confidentially assist individuals and families experiencing financial strain due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Cash assistance is intended for use by Jewish community members and those working for Jewish organizations including those who recently were working for Jewish organizations but lost their jobs due to the crisis.

Guidelines include:

  • Funds can be used for medicine, medical bills, rent/mortgage, groceries, utilities, technology.
  • Need must be directly due to circumstances related to the COVID-19 crisis, such as additional expenses due to home isolation, income loss due to the crisis, etc.
  • Recipient must agree to apply for government programs they are eligible for and JFS will assist with that process as needed.
  • There is no income or asset threshold to access these funds.

Call 314-993-1000 for more information. All requests for assistance will be confidential.

Click here for a list of all free and low-cost food options available within the Jewish community. To see other resources available, download a flyer of COVID-19 resources available to members of the St. Louis Jewish community who are in need.

 

Volunteer


 

As the pandemic continues, all members of our community are affected by social isolation. Those without the social support of families, friends, and neighbors may need food and household items like laundry detergent, incontinence products, toilet paper, and more.

JFS has been mobilizing volunteers and staff to meet these needs and others that many of you could not have imagined before the COVID-19 pandemic began. If online home grocery delivery is not an option for you, volunteers are available to shop and bring your groceries to your door. Learn more here, or contact Erica Steen, Director of the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry, at 314-513-1673 or esteen@jfsstl.org.

Or if you or someone you know just needs a friendly call, please contact Lori Zimmerman at 314-812-9300 or email lzimmerman@jfsstl.org.