Joan Schwebel, JFS Orlando Pearlman Emergency Food Pantry Volunteer, staying safe with a handmade mask on
Joan Schwebel has a generous heart and can be found volunteering for several charities around town. A couple years ago, she was delivering gift bags from Hadassah to JFS Orlando when she heard someone mention we needed volunteers. Before she knew it, Joan eagerly replied, “I could help!” and the rest was history. Ever since, Joan has been a loyal volunteer in the Pearlman Emergency Food Pantry, always available if a shift needs to be covered or we’re doing a food drive at a Publix sidewalk table.
“I enjoy the physical exercise that I get moving things around and interacting with my fellow volunteers and the clients”, Joan explains after being asked what she enjoys about volunteering in the Pantry. “It is important to me because I feel engaged in the forefront of helping those who need it most”, she continues.
Joan delivering Hadassah gift bags to JFS in December 2018
Since volunteering with JFS has been put on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic, Joan, like all of us, has had to adapt. But leave it to Joan to still find ways to help! “I have been doing volunteer work long distance for Hadassah, sewing for Arnold Palmer Hospital, sewing masks and, lately, volunteering for the elections”. Although she has been keeping herself occupied, she still misses volunteering and seeing everybody at JFS.
Even through this tough year, Joan wishes the community knew more about the array of programs available at JFS and “what a wonderful source of help JFS continues to be for a family or individual struggling during difficult times.”
Thank you, Joan, for everything you do to support our community through your service in the Pantry and other organizations. Your drive and passion to help people inspires us all!
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.