Becky Goldstein, JFS Orlando Pearlman Emergency Food Pantry Volunteer masks.
“My give back, at this time of my life, is to help people in need.” Not only does Becky Goldstein accomplish this goal through volunteering in JFS Orlando’s Pearlman Emergency Food Pantry, but she does it by going above and beyond to make a valuable connection for JFS that is able to help even more people in need.
Becky first moved from Miami Beach to the Longwood area in 1990. After retiring in 2018 from 40 years of employment with the Social Security Administration, she spends her time volunteering and enjoying her family and friends. She learned about JFS from her friends who volunteer there. “In the past, I have either donated financially or with food during the food drive,” says Becky. “The Mitzvah Group at Congregation Beth Am had their scheduled once-a-month slot. Once I was retired, I was finally able to help fill that once-a-month slot with my time and not just money.” Since then, Becky has also helped by graciously picking up shifts whenever needed.
It was while working in the Pantry that Becky saw an opportunity to help even further. “One day, I came to my shift and the prior shift volunteers were talking about this specialty baby formula and how it can be used,” she recalls. A few times a year, JFS gratefully receives a donation of a hypoallergenic formula made especially for children with severe food allergies. Since the formula is so specialized, the Pantry has been waiting and looking for a way to get it into the right hands of someone who truly needs it.
“My daughter works for a pediatric gastroenterologist,” says Becky. “So I reached out to her. She checked with the office nutritionist and we found a place that will be able to distribute the prescription formula. The doctor’s office will be able to give the formula to moms whose insurance does not cover the cost of this extremely costly formula. I brought the formula to my daughter to bring to work.” Since making the connection in January, Becky has already picked up the formula twice in order to help these families in need!
Thank you, Becky, for all that you do for the Pearlman Emergency Food Pantry and the clients we serve. Not only does your time and support help make sure families in need have food on their tables, but now it also makes sure children who couldn’t afford it otherwise are getting the proper nutrition they need!
Interested in helping your community by volunteering with JFS? Roles include helping out in the Pantry and behind-the-scenes office assistance. Although due to the pandemic volunteering at JFS Orlando is currently on hold, you can still begin your application for when the program re-opens by contacting us at 407-644-7593 ext.249 or Audrey.Cohen@JFSorlando.org.