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Ever since 1948 and the War of Independence, the State
of Israel has been involved in a tenuous struggle for its lasting security.
Many nations over the years have threatened the survival of Israel, and
Israel has always found the strength to endure and preserve itself. Despite
the Palestinian Intifada and the horror of suicide bomb attacks, Israel
has persevered as a model nation in its quest for peace. Unfortunately,
though, due to the struggle for its very survival, Israel has been left
with less time and resources to deal with other pressing issues of national
importance. Presently, 22% of Israel’s population lives below the poverty
line… 714,000 are children. In addition to this devastating statistic,
the unemployment rate in Israel is a staggering 10.5%.
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Israel, as a state and a people has grown tremendously
in the last fifty years and yet, it is rife with economic woes. Meir Panim
was founded in the year 2000 to help alleviate the stress of Israel’s
large needy population. In accordance with the highest form of tzedakah,
Meir Panim’s commitment is preserving the dignity of the recipients, preventing
their being stigmatized and helping them return to a life of independence
and self respect.
The Meir Panim Relief Center network operates in several veins to lessen the burden of Israel's
economically underprivileged.
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Unlike many under funded shelters and soup kitchen
programs, Meir Panim strives to protect the dignity of those seeking help,
by serving quality food in an attractive dining environment.
Furthering this concept, recipients are given the opportunity to take
packaged food home with them. For those who can not travel to the facility,
such as the elderly, Meir Panim delivers hot meals to their homes.
Currently, meals consisting of four different dishes are served in fourteen
Meir Panim restaurants, feeding 5,900 needy Israelis daily.
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Unfortunately, children are not exempt from the growing
recession that plagues Israel. Many parents are unable to afford the hot
catered lunches served daily in their childrens' school cafeterias. In
addition to being undernourished, the poor children are dealt a blow to
their self-esteem as they hungrily watch their more affluent peers consume
their lunches.
Meir Panim recognized this disturbing fact and funded a program to help
alleviate it. Hot lunches, costing $2.00 are being prepared in the kitchens
and delivered to school children at a maximum cost to them of $1.00. Those
families who are still unable to afford the subsidized cost are not obligated
to pay for this service. Through Meir Panim, over 8,000 underprivileged
children are served hot lunches daily, preserving their health and their
dignity.
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