A difficult and beautiful time: NGOs and the third sector are trying to help those in need, but are facing collapse due to the effects of the Corona

• Food distribution in Haifa // Photo: Michelle Dot Com

The Corona virus has hit a deadly blow to all nonprofits and the third sector in Israel. Arriving just before Passover, where it is customary to hold Kamsha Dapsah and distribute food baskets to the poor - increases the fear that many families will be seated at an upcoming Passover in front of an empty table. The reason: financial harm to companies and households, which so far used to contribute, and lack of volunteers due to restrictions.

"We are unable to meet the demand because of the cancellation of donations and the shortage of volunteers," says Yitzhak Katz of the pre-military preparatory "Return Brothers." The preparatory work was established after the kidnapping of the three boys Il Yifrach, Gil-Ad Shaar and Naftali Frankel, with the assistance of the families, and distributed about 5,000 food baskets each year.

"In previous years, private individuals donated money. The products donated to the Yohananof network, and we were doing a great deal of packaging. Now we don't have enough money to sustain the project at the logistical level, and you can't hold more than nine people to pack. My biggest concern is that people won't To eat at the holiday, which we have nothing to give them. It creates a great distress, breaks the heart. "

Voluntary cancellations

The shortage is also felt by the Petah Tikva Heart Association, which distributes food baskets for those in need. About 3,000 volunteers, including IDF units, planned to volunteer before Passover, but all canceled. There are also fewer food baskets, among other things because there are food items that are lacking in the economy and products that are expensive.

The association expects more than 50 percent reduction in food donations from large food bodies that regularly contribute to the organization, and there is a shortage of some 3,200 baskets designed to be donated by business entities. According to Eli Cohen, CEO of Petahon Lev, "It is precisely during the Passover holiday that has become synonymous with donating and giving after - we face an emergency that threatens thousands of families who may find themselves due to the painful circumstances without a table."

"We are facing a collapse of the social infrastructure in Israel," says Lior Finkel-Pearl, CEO of a civilian leadership organization, the umbrella organization of the third sector in Israel. "The third sector employs about 14 percent of employee jobs, and about half have been taken out of the US. That in a month or two the workers will have places to return to. "

She said, "Support for food distribution organizations has already been compromised, which in turn will be the organizations dealing with helping the elderly and disabled, and as a domino effect on education in the periphery, working with at-risk youth or assisting victims of sexual assault or violence."

Finkle-Pearl notes that "state support is cut or frozen, donors prioritize their support and volunteers will not necessarily come. We are appealing to the prime minister and the Treasury to set up an emergency fund for aid grants and mobilize to resolve the crisis."

Grace Patrol

In the meantime, "germ" and "gather Israel" do not stop and distribute hot meals and food packages. Regularly, Nabat runs the "Sandwich for Every Child" project and delivers sandwiches to children from neglected backgrounds each day, while Leket Israel works to collect surplus food for the needy population. During the crisis, when the children are out of frame and there is a concern about their functioning, the nonprofits cooperate to provide hot meals, along with food packages for families that Sprout supports routinely.

Rotem Yosef-Giladi, CEO of Nevat: "We understand that not only are the children in need of food but also their families, and the collaboration with 'Leket' allows us to offer families support and keep the continuum in front of the children." In the first stage, food will be provided to several hundred families in the center. Food for lunch and rolls and spreads for morning and evening) until the activity is expanded to additional areas, since this is a project with high costs, the associations go out together to raise funds.

According to Yosef Giladi, "One of the most beautiful ventures that is also experiencing difficulties but continues to operate. This is a non-profit social welfare organization with thousands of youth from the social and geographical periphery who volunteer to distribute food in secret to the elderly and needy families - in the neighborhoods where they live."

The association locates youth from disadvantaged areas and produces a generation of local leadership from them. These days the food distribution is carried out in small squads, and the young are equipped with masks and gloves. In light of the crisis, the association raises donations to purchase food packages.

SAHI's CEO, Abraham Hayon, adds: "Everyone is hurt by the Corona, but the needy are a hit. The crisis hits the most fragile populations. The SAHI volunteers are committed to caring for needy families and the elderly and inviting the public to join in the effort ".

Still, there is also a bright spot. Mobilayi raises about NIS 10 million to help nonprofits and organizations in need of a financial grant to continue their activities, to support the economy and to strengthen and protect the Israeli public.