Demand for food assistance surges 32% ahead of Rosh Hashanah

Demand for food assistance in Israel has risen by 32% ahead of the Tishrei holidays, reflecting deepening economic hardship among families struggling with poverty and food insecurity.

Against this backdrop, the Latet organization is conducting its annual holiday aid campaign in cooperation with leading Israeli companies, philanthropic foundations, employees, and volunteers.

The campaign includes food and cash donations, food package-packing events, fundraising from the public and business sector, and collaborations through online and digital platforms.

During its 30 years of activity, Latet has assisted approximately 250,000 families struggling with poverty and food insecurity and provided aid with a cumulative value of approximately NIS 2.25 billion.

Companies join food package campaign

One of the campaign's main initiatives is the "Donors Pack" project, which includes packing events held at the offices of companies across Israel as well as at Latet's logistics center in Beit Shemesh.

Employees of participating companies are helping pack thousands of food packages to be delivered to families in need, while the companies themselves are donating and helping finance the food baskets.

This year's key partners include Osem-Nestlé, Strauss Group, Clal Insurance and Finance, ICL, Bank Yahav, Harel Insurance, Shastovitz, and other companies participating in packing and volunteer activities.

At the same time, other companies are using their online assets and digital platforms to raise donations from the public through collaborations with Shufersal, bit, Wolt, and other entities.

The public can also donate directly toward the purchase of food packages for families in need.

Alongside contributions from companies and the public, the aid campaign is supported by philanthropic foundations that help finance the initiative and expand the scope of assistance.

Among them, the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews provides significant support for families during the holiday, alongside CBN, the Azrieli Foundation, and other partners helping Latet reach families and populations in need across the country.

More than 30,000 food packages to be distributed

As part of the holiday campaign, Latet is expected to prepare and distribute more than 30,000 food packages to families and elderly Israelis supported through the organization's network of partner organizations across the country.

"Our ability to reach tens of thousands of families during the holiday period relies on a broad partnership between the public, the business and philanthropic sectors," Latet CEO Eran Weintraub said.

"At a time when the demand for assistance is growing, and more families are struggling to meet the cost of living, every donation, volunteer hour, and cooperation has real significance."

"The mobilization we are seeing these days allows us to turn mutual responsibility into reality and ensure that as many families as possible can spend the holiday with dignity," Weintraub added.