As we close out 2025, it’s time to reflect on the year that was and plan for the new year. The team at Jewish Family Services is grateful for the support the agency has received allowing staff to serve the community.
The mission of JFS is to support and strengthen lives throughout Greater Kansas City by providing human services for people of all faiths, ages, cultures and identities. Whether it’s facing challenges of everyday life or in times of crisis, the team at JFS is here to lend a hand – and that’s what happened this year.
Under the steadfast leadership of Executive Director and CEO Angela DeWilde, who joined JFS in April, the agency celebrated 13 years of its food pantry. With two locations (one at the Jewish Community Campus and the other in Brookside), the pantry has helped thousands facing food insecurity. To mark the occasion, JFS held a party for the pantry in June, with a “b’nai mitzvah” celebration resulting in the public donating over 1,000 pounds of nonperishables and personal care items to stock pantry shelves. Over $340,000 was raised to help fund pantry programming year-round.
When the pantry 13-year-old freezer called it quits, the JFS Board led the charge to raise the funds to replace it. The community stepped up to raise $7,000 for a new unit.
JFS’ Counseling and Mental Health Team welcomed five new social work interns who will continue through 2026. Combined with JFS counseling and social work staff, JFS will continue to deliver compassionate and understanding services guiding people as they face life’s challenges.
Jewish holidays provided an opportunity for JFS to support those most in need within the Jewish community. Through its Passover Food Project, Rosh Hashanah Meals and Food Driver and Hanukkah Project, JFS helped hundreds of members of the community who face economic challenges with food, gifts and more to celebrate these holidays. JFS is thankful for partners supporting these efforts, including the Rabbinical Association of Greater Kansas City, other nonprofits and area businesses.
Jewish life programming also provided light in the community. Through its Jewish Community Chaplaincy program, JFS hosted three services of spiritual renewal welcoming Passover, Rosh Hashanah and Hanukkah. Spiritual Care volunteers made caring connections to those in our community facing health challenges who were hospitalized and visited those living in older adult facilities. These meaningful encounters are invaluable.
When the fall brought about the government shutdown and the uncertainty that came with it, JFS staff, leadership, board members and volunteers pulled together to pack up and distribute essential groceries. With the help of community partners Kanbe’s Markets and Avenue of Life, JFS was able to distribute more than 6,700 pounds of food during three drive up events. Partnerships are integral to the work JFS does to fully serve both its clients and the community.
JFS would not be able to accomplish these things without its dedicated volunteers. These wonderful people do so much for JFS and its clients – from picking up produce and delivering groceries to visiting the sick, driving older adults to the places they need to go and so much more. Thank you one and all.
JFS looks forward to its continued service in 2026 and celebrating its 125th anniversary. To find out more about the work of JFS, please visit our website at jfskc.org.