The Ark

After rising rent, reduced SNAP benefits, and higher everyday costs left Rebecca struggling to keep up, support from The Ark’s food pantry, financial counseling, and her case manager helped her create a plan to rebuild stability and remain in her home.

This High Holiday season, help more than 5,000 Chicagoland Jews like Rebecca access the resources and support they need on their path toward self-reliance. It’s not too late to make a High Holiday gift.

https://give.arkchicago.org/highholidays/

Pack the Pantry this week before Kol Nidre!

A new report from the Greater Chicago Food Depository found that more than 1 in 3 Chicago households are food insecure, including nearly 1 in 2 households with children. Here in our Jewish community, 8 out of 10 Ark clients cannot consistently afford food each month.

Klal Yisrael Arevim Zeh Bazeh, all of Israel is responsible for one another. Now is the time to act. Help Pack The Ark's Pantry: donate dollars, shop our Amazon wish list, or drop off donations at your synagogue or at The Ark. You'll be helping your neighbors who need support.

https://arkchicago.org/packthepantry/

As we welcome the New Year, our entire team would like to share our hope for a year filled with health, happiness, and peace for you, your loved ones, and the entire Jewish people.

From all of us at The Ark, we wish you a shanah tovah u’metukah.

As we observe Hunger Action Month and approach Rosh Hashanah, our own Rabbi Shaya Hauptman shares this reflection:

The Torah teaches us, “Provide what is needed, according to what that person lacks” (Devarim 15:8). Every person comes with different needs, and we are called upon to see the individual in front of us and respond with care and dignity.

During Hunger Action Month, we think especially about those who come to The Ark struggling to meet one of life’s most basic needs. As we prepare to turn to G-d with our own needs this Rosh Hashanah, we can also help provide for the needs of others. This Hunger Action Month, help Pack the Pantry and make sure The Ark’s shelves are stocked for the individuals and families who turn to us for support.

https://arkchicago.org/packthepantry/

It was wonderful to have students from Solomon Schechter Day School of Metropolitan Chicago spend part of their EPIC Hour learning more about The Ark and getting involved firsthand. Experiences like this give young people a chance to see how many different pieces come together to support our neighbors.

We’re always glad to welcome the next generation of volunteers into our community.

This year, our 7th- and 8th-grade students are continuing the EPIC Hour program. EPIC stands for Explore, Play, Imagine, and Create, giving students an opportunity to step outside their regular classes and explore topics and activities that genuinely interest them.
Today, a group of students visited The Ark to volunteer. Eighth graders Raam and Noah shared, “For our EPIC Hour, we chose to help at The Ark. Today, we took inventory of basic necessities, including shelf-stable food and hygiene products. We also checked the refrigerated and frozen foods.”

This Hunger Action Month, we're shining a light on the growing need within our own community, where more than 3,400 people received food through The Ark's kosher food pantries this year and more than 400 households turned to our pantries for the first time.

See the numbers behind the need and learn how The Ark is responding: https://arkchicago.org/food-security-fact-sheet/

Food Security Fact Sheet Download a one-page resource with key information about SNAP, The Ark’s kosher food pantry, and the growing need for food assistance in our community.

Several members of The Ark team were honored to join the community in Skokie for the dedication of Hersh's Fridge, created in memory of Hersh Goldberg-Polin. It was meaningful to gather alongside Hersh’s parents, Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Jon Polin, and so many neighbors to honor his life through a project rooted in dignity, care and access to food.

Skokie community honors Hersh Goldberg-Polin with new kosher fridge Hundreds of people gathered in Skokie on Wednesday for the dedication of a new kosher fridge honoring the life of Hersh Goldberg-Polin.

The Ark is hiring a Program Support Specialist to join our Volunteer and Outreach team in West Rogers Park.

We’re looking for an organized, people-oriented person who enjoys keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes. This full-time role combines volunteer support, data and Salesforce management, scheduling, program preparation, and day-to-day department operations.

Learn more about the position and apply: https://arkchicago.org/the-ark-is-hiring-program-support-specialist/

The Ark is Hiring: Program Support Specialist The Ark is seeking a full-time Program Support Specialist to support the day-to-day operations of the Volunteer and Outreach Department. This role helps keep volunteer programs, department systems, supplies, and administrative processes organized and running smoothly, while serving as a helpful reso...

Meet Hannah Prezant, The Ark’s Case Management Support Specialist, who helps clients navigate the Online Market, place pantry orders, and feel supported throughout the process. By giving clients the time and personal assistance they need, Hannah is helping make access to food a little easier while strengthening the connections that make The Ark feel like a community.

Read Hannah’s full Staff Spotlight and learn more about the new role she is helping shape at The Ark.

https://arkchicago.org/staff-spotlight-hannah-prezant/

Hannah Prezant Helps Make Ordering on The Ark's Online Market Easier Meet Hannah Prezant, The Ark’s new Case Management Support Specialist, helping clients navigate the Online Market with personalized support and connection.