Israel – Food Baskets for Families – Images

This project has two placement options: one in Jerusalem, Israel’s capital city, and one in Tel Aviv, a modern beach city.Tel Aviv-Jaffa is the largest metropolitan area in Israel. Located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, the city boasts a popular coastline, attracting tourists from all around the globe. The project center is located in South Tel Aviv. The area is known for its low socio-economic status and holds onto its historic architecture and style. It is also the center of the refugee community. Jerusalem is Israel’s capital city and a holy city for many different religions. Volunteers at the Jerusalem placement will be living close to outdoor markets and popular tourist attractions. Volunteers will be able to experience Israel’s diversity, as Jerusalem is comprised of neighborhoods that represent the city’s Jewish, Muslim, Armenian and Christian populations. Jerusalem is only a short distance from the famous Dead Sea and a short hour away from Tel Aviv.

Lend a helping hand by volunteering in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv to prepare food baskets for the hungry! The Jerusalem organization works with the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture to distribute 3,000 food baskets each week in 30 cities throughout Israel and a total of 15,000 baskets during holidays such as Passover and the Jewish New Year. A typical basket includes quality food, such as chicken or fish, fruits and vegetables, grains and other nutrition essentials. The Tel Aviv center, which has been operating for 25 years, relies on volunteers to help prepare and deliver the parcels to families in the area. In cooperation with the Tel Aviv Department of Welfare and Social Services, the food distribution center supplies food parcels to over 350 needy families in order to combat the negative side effects of food insecurity. The packages contain basic food products including sugar, flour, oil, pasta, canned vegetables and more.

Orientation (included): Orientation will take place in Tel Aviv on Sunday upon arrival.

• Volunteer preparation and travel directions to the program
• Expert advice for traveling in Israel during and after your volunteer placement
• Walking tour of Tel Aviv

As a volunteer at this project, you will be able to directly impact the lives of many families throughout Israel. Your job will be to sort the food and create the packages that will be delivered, paying close attention to those families that have special diets or those who need specific supplies, such as baby formula. While this task is simple in nature, the effect that it has upon the families receiving the packages is enormous.

Finally, the actual distribution of food is done by volunteers, soldiers, and/or corporations who join this cause or assist with transportation for those families who wish to keep their privacy. Some families come to the Jerusalem location to pick up their baskets.

Tel Aviv placement: You will spend the day sorting, organizing and packing food into boxes although it is important to be flexible in case the program director needs your assistance in a different way. You will work 6 hours per day, 5 days per week. Fridays and Saturdays are free.

Jerusalem placement: Volunteers will work three days per week, from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM with a lunch break. Volunteers will be assigned three work days that are between Sunday and Thursday. The days are dependent on the current needs of the project. Please note: This placement is one week only.

Some of your tasks may include:

• Sorting food items
• Packing and arranging food baskets
• Handing out baskets to families

Please note that volunteer activities and schedules can change at any time based on the needs of the project.

Holidays: Please note that the months of September and October have several holidays that may affect your trip.

Internet: WiFi is available for use at the hostels. Volunteers will receive a SIM card at orientation with 40 GB of data and unlimited calls to US, Canadian and Israeli numbers.

Laundry: Laundry facilities are available for a small fee

Accommodations: You will stay at a hostel in a mixed-gender dorm room with up to 9 other people and a shared bathroom. The room is basic but comfortable and has bed linens, towels, air conditioning and a closet. The Tel Aviv hostel is located right in the center of the city, a short walk from the beach. If you do not want to stay at the hostel and prefer to book other accommodations, please let us know following registration. We will be able to refund you a portion of the volunteer fee and advise you about other options. Families are welcome at the Jerusalem placement, but are required to upgrade to a private room for an additional fee.

Food: A traditional Israeli breakfast is provided in the hostels’ dining rooms and consists of breads, olives, vegetables, labaneh (a type of yogurt), coffee and tea. There is a self-catering kitchen available for your use and plenty of inexpensive restaurants and cafes nearby.

Please take note of this project’s minimum requirements:

• Basic level of English
• Good attitude
• Physically capable of light lifting and packing
• Desire to help

Volunteers will have time each week to spend how they wish. There are countless destinations to be explored within Israel, and are all easily accessible by public transportation. A few popular travel destinations are described below.

The Dead Sea
People from all over the world come to Israel to visit the one place on Earth where they can simply float on top of the sea due to the high density of the salty water. The Dead Sea is a great place to cover yourself in antioxidant-rich mud and float your troubles away.

Masada
Close to both Jerusalem and the Dead Sea, Masada is an ancient fortress in the Judean Desert that is most well-known for its view of the sunrise. Many tourists hike up to the top early in the morning and stay to watch the sunrise before exploring the ancient ruins.

Eilat
Israel’s most popular resort destination is located on the southern tip of Israel. Here volunteers can relax on the best beaches, swim with dolphins and enjoy beach parties throughout summer weekends.

Check out a list of tours you can join for an additional fee, here.