Cost of living crisis: ‘Food parcels from the United Synagogue keep us going’

Charities helping thousands of Jewish families in need expect rising demand in the coming months as the cost of living crisis bites and energy bills soar.

One million people reported missing food for the whole day because they could not afford it, a survey from The Food Foundation has revealed.

The data shows that 10.8 percent of households suffered from food poverty between August 2021 to January 2022 compared with 7.6 percent pre-Covid. This comes as inflation reaches its highest for 30 years, at 5.5 percent.

The United Synagogue (US), which provides just under 200 families with weekly food packages, says demand will soar amid the cost of living crisis. Its food parcel programme, which is staffed by volunteer packers and drivers, has cost £400,000 since it started in March 2020.

US spokesperson Richard Verber said: “The raising of the energy price cap and the increase in the cost of living are causing great concern. Families who were already unsure how they were going to make ends meet now need to find even more money to feed themselves and heat their homes.”

Sara* from Hertfordshire, who has been receiving food parcels through the US Chesed programme, said: “We are a large family and the regular deliveries relieve significant stress, worry and financial burden. I am unable to articulate the delight on my children’s faces (and the relief on mine) while unpacking the deliveries. They keep our family going.”

Rachel*, who is retired and lives in north London, has also been receiving parcels.

She said: “US Chesed works so hard to make sure everyone gets enough food to live through these awful times, especially with energy bills about to double, it will be even harder for us all.”

Rabbi Chapper, of Borehamwood and Elstree United Synagogue, said: “From the number of requests to our hardship fund for financial assistance, we’ve seen that the rise in the cost of living is having a real impact on our members.”

Other Jewish aid charities, including GIFT and Paperweight, are experiencing an increase in demand. Paperweight, which helps with paperwork, including bills, is taking on five new cases a day as families struggle with their finances, and GIFT is receiving an increasing number of referrals from Jewish Women’s Aid as single mothers fleeing abusive relationships are made homeless.

Yasmine Itach, the GIFT family liaison officer, said: “Many [of our recipient families] have mentioned how difficult it is to stay kosher due to premium prices, particularly meat and fish. The rise in fuel prices is going to literally mean a matter of choosing between heating or eating for some.”

Many within the community are concerned about the rising energy prices, which are growing on average by £420 per household.

JW3, which runs a food bank for non-Jewish families in Hampstead, has hired a food bank coordinator to manage demand. Since its foundation at the beginning of the pandemic, the food bank has delivered about 235,000 meals, which has cost about £60,000 a year.

Rabbi Herschel Gluck, of Shomrim in Stamford Hill, said: “I don’t think one needs to be a rocket scientist to figure out that the people who were struggling even before this situation [rise in energy bills] are being impacted to an even greater degree.”

*Some names have been changed