Rooted in Values
“Every time I left my volunteering shift, I knew my efforts were truly appreciated. This fulfillment motivates me to continue serving and showing up for the community.”
Located on 29th and Center, the Jewish Community Pantry is deeply rooted in the community, serving as a crucial resource for individuals and families experiencing food insecurity. This vital service, grounded in values such as tzedakah (justice) and tikkun olam (repairing the world), provides emergency food, diapers, and hygiene supplies. Powered by the dedicated efforts of volunteers from all walks of life, the Pantry embodies a commitment to community service.
One such volunteer is Mary, a Marquette University student who began her journey with the Pantry at the end of last summer. Initially required to volunteer only once a week for her service-learning class, Mary found herself volunteering twice a week, driven by the sense of fulfillment she experienced. “Every time I left my volunteering shift, I knew my efforts were truly appreciated. This fulfillment motivates me to continue serving and showing up for the community,” she shared. “Dedicating time to the Pantry also allowed me to take a break from my school life, which helped clear my mind and keep me grounded.”
Mary’s positive experience at the Pantry inspired her career path. She applied at Marquette’s Arrupe Center for Community Service and Social Responsibility, eager to weave social responsibility into her personal and professional life. Reflecting on her time at the Pantry, Mary said, “I strongly believe the Pantry is a wonderful example of how organization, communication, and teamwork help run a successful and impactful operation.”
Mary’s story is one of many at the Jewish Community Pantry, where dedicated and passionate volunteers ensure that essential services reach those in need. “I really appreciate all the volunteers who took the time to ask me questions about school and my life, and got to know me,” Mary shared. “When I would come in having a bad morning, they helped me feel better.”
With 30-40 trained volunteers working during open hours alongside a handful of Pantry staff, they help pack bags of food, interview guests, stock shelves, and assist with our guest-choice food allocation process. The Pantry embodies the spirit of community and care, connecting guests to community resources, increasing awareness of food insecurity, and working to alleviate its impact.
In everything it does, the Jewish Community Pantry remains rooted in values, fostering a culture of compassion and kavod (respect) that creates a long-lasting positive impact on the communities we serve.
The Jewish Community Pantry is supported by the Emergency Pantry Network of the Hunger Task Force, a provider of free and local food.
