Every month, the two locations of Jewish Family Services’ Food Pantry provide more than 500 families with food, non-perishable household goods and personal hygiene items as well as pet food for those who need it.

JFS wouldn’t be able to keep its shelves stocked without other nonprofit partners, who step up and donate items to the pantry.

These partners include various nonprofit organizations, including the Mitzvah Garden of Kansas City (MGKC). Growing fresh produce on the grounds of The Temple, Congregation B'nai Jehudah, Congregation Beth Shalom and Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy, MGKC is a volunteer-supported garden that was started in 2000 with its crops going to various organizations like JFS. During the growing season, the JFS Food Pantry receives regular deliveries of fresh produce from the MGKC.

“JFS provides a mechanism to ensure the nutritious benefits of fresh produce go to people in need in our community,” said Ken Sonnenschein, garden founder. “Volunteers pick up the harvest from the MGKC and bring it to the JFS Food Pantry. When it arrives, it is washed, stored and displayed by more volunteers for clients to choose based on their preferences.”

So far this year, MGKC has provided various produce, including apples, beans, cucumbers, garlic, onions, peaches, squash and tomatoes. As the growing season continues through the summer and fall, the Mitzvah Garden will provide other crops as well.

In addition to food and nonperishable items, JFS nonprofit partners donate diapers, period products, produce, protein items, bread, flowers and more. Those nonprofits include Knabe’s Markets, Happy Bottoms, Pete’s Garden, Nourish KC, Tiny Pantry Times, Harvesters, Strawberry Week, Giving Hope and Help.

JFS is always open to teaming up with other organizations. Those associated with a nonprofit organization and interested in partnering with the JFS Food Pantry can contact Jo Hickey, director of volunteers and pantry partners, at or (913) 327-8257. 

JFS invites the community to support its nonprofit partners by volunteering. Each one of these organizations can use help to meet their missions. 

“JFS cannot provide the level of service our guests deserve without the support of our nonprofit partners," Hickey said.

“We grow food, community and ourselves,” Sonnenschein said. “Volunteers are welcome to not only do the work of growing food but also learn. Visitors and volunteers learn agricultural information with a focus on the connection between our Jewish texts, traditions, holidays, food security and sovereignty. Gathering a diverse group of people for a shared purpose also grows our community.”

Those interested in volunteering for any of these organizations, can visit their web sites

Nourish KC - theprospectkc.org/nourish-kc 

Pete’s Garden - petesgarden.org/volunteer 

Mitzvah Garden - mitzvahgardenkc.com/get-involved 

Happy Bottoms - happybottoms.org/volunteer

Tiny Pantry Times - tinypantrytimes.org 

Harvesters - harvesters.org/how-to-help/volunteer 

Strawberry Week - strawberryweek.org/volunteer 

Giving Hope & Help - givinghopeandhelp.org/volunteer

Kanbe’s Markets - kanbesmarkets.org/volunteer 

Meanwhile, the JFS Food Pantry is in need of personal care items (not covered by government assistance) including shampoo, conditioner, body wash and deodorant. Food items include tuna, canned chicken and other protein products. Physical donations can be dropped off during business hours in designated barrels at the Jewish Community Center and JFS Brookside location. More information is available at jfskc.org.