The nonprofit has an opportunity to tell the story of how the organization adapted to tremendous external changes in the last year.
The Board of Directors convened an Emergency Response Task Force in March 2020, comprised of the Board President, President-Elect, Treasurer, VP of HR, CEO, CPO, CFO, and an MD, a technology expert, and two lawyers. The task Force met regularly to strategize programs, operations, health/safety, risk-management, financial planning, communications, and HR.
JFS experienced increased requests for services across most programs this past year. With prior donor support, JFS had a strong existing foundation to meet the increasing basic safety net needs and communicated regularly with existing and new donors throughout the pandemic.
JFS adapted all service provision methods to meet health guidelines and provide a safe environment for all 48,000 clients, staff and volunteers. JFS has had no workplace-transmitted virus cases.
Clinical services were adapted to HIPAA-compliant telehealth platforms and continue to be delivered virtually. All CAPP child abuse prevention education presentations were also successfully adapted to a variety of virtual education platforms.
The Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry transitioned from a Client-Choice pantry to a drive-through food distribution model to meet increased demand and keep clients, staff and volunteers safe. Visitors to the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry increased by 30%, from 15,100 individuals in 2019 to 21,500 individuals in 2020. JFS added home food delivery for more than 120 individuals and couples who had limited financial resources and no social supports to bring them food.
After losing all but 14 of more than 200 food pantry volunteers immediately after the initial stay-at-home order was issued in March 2020, our volunteer coordinator recruited/on-boarded more than 300 new pantry volunteers.
JFS utilized existing staff and systems to distribute an additional $96,000 in financial assistance to pay rent, mortgages and utility bills for those impacted by COVID-19.