Food Programs
Jacobson Family Food Pantry
The Jacobson Family Food Pantry delivers non-perishable groceries, fresh fruits and vegetables every other week, free of charge, to those experiencing food insecurity. We also have many clients who come to shop in the pantry every other week. Founded in 1996, the mission of the Food Pantry is to ensure that no individual or family in our community goes hungry. By alleviating the problem of hunger, our clients are able to direct their focus on improving their situation. Providing for those who are lacking the means to afford basic necessities is the essence of Tzedakah, which asks us to help those in need live with more dignity and comfort.
In 2021, the pantry was named “The Jacobson Family Food Pantry” in honor of a generous donation by Anne & Norman Jacobson. In February 2019, in recognition of a magnanimous donation to the Jacobson Family Food Pantry by the estate of Madeline and Eugene Pargh (z’l), the non-perishable food section at the Jacobson Family Food Panty was named the “Pargh Family Grocery.”
*Food Pantry services are only available to residents of Boca Raton, Delray Beach and Highland Beach, based on eligibility.
Food Pantry Hours of Operation:
Monday 11:00 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Tuesday 9:00 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Wednesday 11:00 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Friday 11:00 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.
For more information: Contact, Jacobson Family Food Pantry at 561-852-3333.
Click below to request the Jacobson Family Food Pantry application form:
Food Pantry Application Request
Statement of Compliance:
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: “https://www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-a-program-discrimination-complaint”, or from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Meals on Wheels Program
The Meals on Wheels Program provides nutritionally balanced prepared meals to allow seniors to age in place safely for as long as possible. More importantly, participants are automatically connected to our JFS family and can access a variety of other programs and services to enhance and improve their quality of life. The program is open only to residents of Boca Raton, Delray Beach and Highland Beach. To receive services, an application is required.
All meals are low in sodium, kosher, and include a protein, two side dishes, and delivered frozen in a microwave-safe container. Orders must be placed at least 10 days in advance. Dedicated and pre-screened volunteers deliver meals to homebound seniors on Fridays.
* The Meals on Wheels Program is only available to residents of Boca Raton, Delray Beach and Highland Beach, and a limited financial subsidy for meals is available to those who qualify. Payment is due at time of meal orders.
To request a MOW application or a sample menu, please click below.
Meals on Wheels Application
Support for this program is provided by a grant from The Jim Moran Foundation, a grant from the United Way of Palm Beach County, The Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, and private donations. All meals are prepared by the Jewish Association of Residential Care (JARC).
Financial Assistance
Since 1979, Rales JFS has provided financial assistance to individuals and families in crisis. These services are available to low-income families/individuals living in Boca Raton, Delray Beach and Highland Beach who qualify.
Examples of the kind of funding we assist with includes:
- Car payments
- Car insurance
- Eyeglasses
- Food Pantry / Meals On Wheels
- Hearing aids
- Homeless prevention services for seniors
- Homeowners insurance
- In-home care
- Maintenance/Homeowners Association fees
- Medical supplies
- Mortgage/rent
- Summer camp scholarships (Click to fill out a Camp Scholarship Application)
- Utilities (such as FPL, Water, etc.)
If you reside in Boca Raton, Delray Beach or Highland Beach, click below to request the Financial Assistance application form. Financial Assistance Application
Other Programs:
Bernard Sherman Program to Enhance Jewish Identity
Rales JFS helps children and young adults, including those with varying needs and abilities, connect with their Jewish identity by providing the financial assistance needed to participate in Jewish life-enrichment experiences such as Israeli Experiences, Jewish Advocacy Conferences, Jewish Youth Group Conventions, Maccabi Games, March of the Living and more for those that are low-income families.
Hebrew Free Loan Society (HFLS)
HFLS helps provide interest-free loans to assist individuals and families unable to secure a bank loan. Funds can be used for a variety of purposes including the repair or purchase of a car, home repairs, dental care, prostheses, fertility treatments, surrogacy, and education. To qualify, a local guarantor is required.
Senior Homeless Prevention for Older Adults (SHP)
SHP is available to seniors 60 years of age and older who reside in Boca Raton, Delray Beach and Highland Beach. The program allows access to short-term financial assistance. The financial assistance component provides help for expenses, including rent (application fees, security deposits, and first/last month’s rent), utilities, and emergencies such as car repairs, medical emergencies, moving expenses and disability/mobility accommodations. These services are for low income seniors.
Indigent Burial Assistance
Rales JFS provides help for those faced with the loss of a loved one and are without the means to pay for their funeral. Rales JFS works with local funeral homes and cemeteries to assist families at their most vulnerable time. These services are for low income families.
Jewish Education Loan Fund (JELF)
Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Services is proud to work in partnership with JELF to help local Jewish students reach their academic goals. Higher education costs are rising and JELF is meeting the need through providing 0% interest loans to Jewish students.
All qualifying applicants must be:
- Able to provide a designated co-signer that lives in the U.S.
- A permanent resident of FL, GA, SC, NC, and VA (excluding metro DC) (they can, however, attend any U.S. accredited school)
- A U.S. citizen, or have lawful immigration status
- Enrolled full-time in a program leading to a degree or certificate
- In good academic standing
- Planning to accept federal subsidized and unsubsidized loans (FAFSA application required)
JELF loans are intentionally designed to help cover costs associated with the educational and living expenses that other financial aid often does not cover, such as travel, rent, food, and books. JELF’s 0% interest loans help save borrowers thousands of dollars in high interest-bearing debt each year.
The JELF application is open each year from January-April for students seeking assistance for the next full academic year and again in August-September for students that need assistance for spring and/or summer semesters.
To apply, or for more information please visit: www.jelf.org
Rales JFS Roommate Matching Program
Roommate matching is a service that pairs older single adults with other pre-screened and qualified single adults to share a home. The program is available to residents of Palm Beach County who are age 50 and older.
Short Term In-Home Subsidized Care Assistance
Rales JFS provides help to seniors that require short term in-home care services due to a recent hospitalization, rehabilitation center stay, and any other situation that would require short term in-home assistance to those that qualify.
