Our Federation recently hosted an event with Paul Leiba, Director of Resource Development for Leket Israel which is Israel’s National Food Bank and largest food rescue network. Leket is working to alleviate the problem of nutritional insecurity among the growing numbers of Israel’s poor. Paul shared his wisdom as to why so much produce goes to waste – when there are so many in need – and what Leket is doing about it.
Each year, with the help of 40,000 volunteers, Leket Israel rescues over 700,000 meals and 21 million lbs. of produce and perishable goods, and supplies over 1.25 million (7,500/school day) volunteer-prepared sandwiches to children.
In addition to a diverse group of our Federation’s community partners from across Los Angeles, the event was attended by lay leadership and staff representing multiple areas of our Federation’s work:
- Our Community Engagement strategic initiative pulled together the event, allowing it do what it does best – bring people together to learn by listening and exchanging ideas. Within our Community Engagement area, we had attendees representing our Federation’s LA/Israel Network, which seeks to inform Angelenos about Israel, foster understanding and create partnerships; as well as members of our Hunger Initiative team – which brings together policy makers, non-profits and faith organizations in an effort to alleviate hunger and food insecurity in Los Angeles.
- Federation’s Caring for Jews in Need strategic initiative – which is committed to serving Jewish populations in Los Angeles, Israel and around the world.
- Our Federation’s own Jewish Venture Philanthropy Fund, one of the first funders of Leket, which in 2010 provided a 3-year grant for capacity building at Israeli food pantries throughout the country, so that they can safely store and distribute the food Leket makes available.
We were glad to provide an opportunity for Paul to meet with community members and representatives of local Jewish and secular organizations, many of whom work in the hunger relief sector – food rescue operations, large-scale food banking, advocacy and international grant-making. He gave everyone insight about Leket’s, and Israel’s, challenges and the creative ways in which they have responded to provide food for those in need. Idea and information-sharing was in full force that day!
To learn more about our Federation’s work fighting hunger, contact Flori Schutzer at FSchutzer@JewishLA.org.
