Masbia Opens New Annex on the Upper West Side at Congregation Shearith Israel
Last Tuesday afternoon marked the first day of operations at Masbia’s newest food pantry, located in the yard of Congregation Shearith Israel, the historic Spanish & Portuguese Synagogue on the Upper West Side
Last Tuesday afternoon marked the first day of operations at Masbia’s newest food pantry, located in the yard of Congregation Shearith Israel, the historic Spanish & Portuguese Synagogue on the Upper West Side. The pantry served local families through both pickup appointments via the Plentiful app and home deliveries through DoorDash.
“While most of the equipment needed for full operation is still on its way, we were committed to beginning service before Hanukkah, just as we announced,” said Alexander Rapaport, Executive Director of the Masbia Soup Kitchen Network.
Masbia was invited by America’s oldest Jewish congregation, founded in 1654, to open this new annex as part of Shearith Israel’s celebration of America turning 250 years old. The partnership emphasizes sharing with others and strengthening community ties through acts of giving.
In preparation for the opening, Masbia contacted rabbis across Manhattan to identify families in need of Kosher food assistance and created a delivery list to reach them directly. The pantry is also open to the general public through Plentiful, where pickup appointments become available 24 hours in advance. For those without the app, appointments can be made by texting FOOD to 726879, where an automated chatbot assists with scheduling.
On its first day, the new annex served about a dozen families in person and sent out nearly three dozen home deliveries. Masbia expects these numbers to increase significantly as more people become aware of the new resource.
One of those showing up, at the beginning, was an elderly woman who arrived with her service dog. She told the Masbia staff that she was blind and needed help identifying each of the nearly 50 items we were giving out that day. The staff went through them one by one, slowly, patiently, and she chose what she felt she could manage to carry home in her knapsack. She made careful decisions as every item mattered. Even the 3-pound bag of onions, she asked to open so she could take only a few. But when she heard there was a pack of chicken, her face lit up. That was the item she was most excited to bring home.
Later, back at the office, staff looked up her name in Plentiful, and called the number on her profile. She was asked whether she might prefer DoorDash home delivery, part of Masbia’s partnership to help clients who cannot easily carry food back themselves. She was overjoyed. On the phone, she shared her full name with us for the first time and confirmed her address. From now on, she will receive deliveries directly to her home, without having to choose between the food offered and what she can physically carry.
To support Masbia’s efforts or learn more, please visit www.masbia.org
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Masbia relief food distribution at Congregation Shearith Israel The Spanish and Portuguese synagogue, Manhattan NY Photo by Stefano Giovannini
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