- January 31, 2025
-
-
Loading
Loading
Donna Fresquez, James Fresquez and Laura Ashkenazi help distribute food outside the Jerry Doliner Food Bank in Ormond Beach. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Gloria Max said her job has saved her life. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Vicky Kurshner, Claire Nellis, Kim Williams and Janice Sumner, help with the distribution of groceries at the Jerry Doliner Food Bank in Ormond Beach. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Steve Kurshner and Randy McDonald help hand out turkeys outside the Jerry Doliner Food Bank in Ormond Beach. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Karen Sutton and Bonnie Koleefer sign in families outside the Jerry Doliner Food Bank in Ormond Beach. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Volusia County Councilwoman Heather Post volunteers to distribute food outside the Jerry Doliner Food Bank in Ormond Beach. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The Jerry Doliner Food Bank made sure about 300 families will have a Thanksgiving this year.
Run by the Jewish Federation of Flagler and Volusia Counties, a line of people showed up at the food bank located at 470 Andalusia Ave., the morning of Tuesday, Nov. 24, to receive a slew of groceries including apples, sweet potatoes, pastries and of course, a turkey for the upcoming holiday. The Jewish Federation distributes turkeys to those in need every year, and with the COVID-19 pandemic financially affecting more local families, Executive Director Gloria Max said the need is great.
“We’re seeing people that we never saw before and it’s really hard," Max said.
This year's distribution, which Max estimated to cost around $12,000, was made possible thanks to about 75 volunteers, and help from Samsula Elementary and the Temple Beth-El School. This Halloween, the Temple Beth-El youth group went trick-or-treating for hunger, and sorted the food out for the Jewish Federation. In addition, students Riana Prasar aand Akhil Desai went around to local businesses, and put together baskets of food and gift cards for families in need.
Assisting in this year's distribution was Volusia County Councilwoman Heather Post, who was recently re-elected for a second term. She said in an email that volunteering in the community has always allowed her to talk to the "real change agents" and adequately assess the local needs.
"Helping citizens with basic needs is critical to the success of our county as a whole and the Jewish Federation of Volusia-Flagler does an amazing job of filling essential gaps in services," she said. "I am so grateful for all they do."
Max makes sure that every one they help is truly in need. Because 100% of all donations go toward this effort, with the Jewish Federation absorbing all administrative costs, she needs to be confident that the community's dollars are well-spent. In order to receive food from the Jerry Doliner Food Bank, the Federation asks for documentation to prove financial need. They keep a database of all the families they help.
The Jewish Federation buys most of the food for the food bank, though they also receive some from the Second Harvest Food Bank. Max also makes sure to acknowledge every donation they receive to help further their mission.
“We thank everybody that gives," Max said. "I’m old school.”
From families affected by cancer to grandparents obtaining custody of their grandchildren after unforeseen circumstances, Max finds a way to help, even as she continues to battling cancer herself.
She's undergoing aggressive chemotherapy, and is in a lot of pain, she said. Still, she gets up every day and heads to the food bank.
“This job has saved my life because if I stayed home, I’d be sedentary," Max said. "I wouldn’t be moving, and I think I’ve got a purpose and I think when you’ve got a purpose, it means a lot.”
