food shopping cards

Meir Panim’s pre-paid food shopping cards are a dignified way for Israel’s needy to get the groceries they need.

About this program:

food shopping cards

NO ONE WANTS TO BE SEEN COLLECTING HANDOUTS…

The heartbreaking scenes of people waiting in long lines at food pantries have become increasingly common. Struggling families, destitute elderly and Holocaust survivors deserve to receive aid with dignity.

MEIR PANIM’S COMMITMENT TO PRESERVE THE DIGNITY OF THE POOR

Meir Panim is steadfast in its commitment to preserve the dignity of the poor in Israel. To help disadvantaged individuals purchase the basic necessities needed to survive, Meir Panim distributes prepaid shopping cards, resembling credit cards, before the High Holidays and Passover.

With the cards in hand, recipients can shop at major food chains and purchase the foods and home goods that they need in order to support themselves and their families, without feeling the embarrassment of collecting handouts. The cards cannot be used to purchase alcohol or cigarettes. This method of assistance keeps true to Meir Panim’s careful attention to preserving the dignity and autonomy of the recipient.

The food shopping cards are designed to help people who work but still cannot make ends meet, those who are temporarily out of work and actively seeking employment, and elderly Holocaust survivors. The cards also grant families facing considerable hardship a degree of dignity and equality, and help them avoid being labeled as poor. It is a form of supplemental aid which maintains the self-respect of the recipients.

testimonial

“The food shopping cards from Meir Panim have been a tremendous help for my family. It helps us fill our fridge with all of the basic necessities. If it weren’t for the cards, we would have had nothing in our fridge at times”. 

Parents of 8 in Jerusalem

testimonial

“Meir Panim helps me purchase my groceries every week with my card. It allows me to shop with dignity – I don’t feel the shame of begging when I can shop like anyone else”. 

Mom of 5 in Dimona
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