Nevertheless, says Rozmaryn, the organization has thrived during this period, due to an unprecedented amount of contributions received from generous donors, and the assistance provided by Israel’s Home Front Command, which provided some catered meals, as well as staff to help deliver food to those in isolation. But perhaps most important, says Rozmaryn, is the remarkably dedicated team that has been resilient and creative during these most difficult times. “Our Branch managers are always doing extra when they see someone that is in need. They are amazingly resourceful and well-connected people in their communities, so that people that are in need know where to come, and businesses that want to give know where to go. “She tells the story of a woman in the local Tiberias Branch of Meir Panim, whose child was entering first grade. Sadly, her mother did not have sufficient funds to purchase a computer for her daughter’s distance learning. The manager arranged with a local business to donate a computer for the girl. Another manager learned that a family did not have any beds and was sleeping on the floor. He contacted a furniture store to arrange a donation of beds for the needy family.

“The core mission of Meir Panim,” says Rozmaryn, “is about serving and meeting community needs and serving our clients with a level of dignity.” It is for this reason that Meir Panim serves food restaurant-style fashion. Patrons arrive, sit down, and are approached by a volunteer or staff person, who immediately brings them a tray of food. When they have finished, a volunteer appears and clears their tray. “We want to go one step above giving — we want to give with dignity and respect, and we want our clients not to feel needy, but like members of our family,” she says.

Meir Panim has another goal – to help break the cycle of poverty in Israel. “We not only want to meet the immediate needs of people who are in need, but also to help prevent some of the root causes of poverty,” says Rozmaryn. Meir Panim has embarked on several projects – large and small – including:

Meir Panim – Operating in the Shadow of Corona

An Interview with Mimi Rozmaryn, Director of Global Development for Meir Panim

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