SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — For 35 years, volunteers of Congregation Beth Israel’s San Diego Hunger Project have served lunch to hundreds of people experiencing homelessness every Sunday morning at Father Joe’s Villages. Congregation Beth Israel provides food, funding, and volunteers for this program. The initiative, called the “Hunger Project,” has now distributed almost 1.5 million meals and has contributed more than $1 million in donations.
The Hunger Project was founded by member Joan Kutner more than 25 years ago, and has fed hundreds of thousands in need. The organization’s recent gift in November ensured that their total giving to Father Joe’s Villages over the years now exceeds $1 million in donations. Additionally, they have made an unparalleled contribution to Father Joe’s Villages with 1.5 million meals served over their years of service.
On Friday, November 5, Deacon Jim Vargas attended Congregation Beth Israel’s Shabbat service to express his appreciation and present a special plaque in recognition of the Hunger Project’s commitment and service.
Every day, Father Joe’s Villages offers three daily meals to people living in their emergency housing, bridge shelters and transitional housing programs and a daily lunch for community members in need through the Franklin Antonio Public Lunch Program.
With the lack of nutritious food resources, the short and long-term health issues people experience often makes the road to ending their homelessness much more challenging. Volunteer groups like the Hunger Project make it possible for Father Joe’s Villages to provide an average of 1 million meals each year to individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
“Since 1986, Beth Israel’s work, along with Father Joe’s Villages, has been crucial to support those in need throughout our great San Diego community, specifically the homeless population. At the heart of our work together is the shared Torah value to ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’ (Lev. 19:18),” said Rabbi Jason Nevarez of Congregation Beth Israel. “With deep gratitude to Father Joe Carroll, our friend, Deacon Jim Vargas, and the team at Father Joe’s Villages, our sacred work continues to support all those in need of a meal, prepared and served with dignity and care.”
Numerous studies have found that lack of food is associated with significantly greater odds of hospitalization, higher utilization rates of emergency services and both short- and long-term health problems. In this way, providing meals to neighbors in need can prevent the consequences of health issues — income loss and homelessness. Additionally, it can give them energy to focus on building a brighter future.
“I offer my heartfelt thanks to Rabbi Nevarez, Lesley Mills, the volunteers, and the faithful of Congregation Beth Israel, for their generous hearts, their financial support, and the long legacy of volunteering,” said Deacon Jim Vargas, President and CEO of Father Joe’s Villages. “At the heart of our work is mercy and compassion for those we serve. It’s a blessing to partner with Congregation Beth Israel in this important work.”
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Preceding provided by Congregation Beth Israel