{
  "id": 6216265,
  "title": "Demand for food assistance surges 32% ahead of Rosh Hashanah",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/demand-for-food-assistance-surges-32-ahead-of-rosh-hashanah",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-08T02:44:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-907890"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The demand for food assistance in Israel has increased by 32% in anticipation of the Tishrei holidays, indicating that more families are facing economic difficulty and food insecurity. The Latet organization is spearheading an annual holiday aid campaign, collaborating with prominent Israeli businesses, philanthropic foundations, employees, and volunteers. This campaign encompasses various activities such as food and cash donations, packing food packages, fundraising efforts, and partnerships through digital platforms. Over the past 30 years, Latet has aided around 250,000 families in need, providing assistance worth about NIS 2.25 billion.\n\nA significant component of the campaign is the \"Donors Pack\" project, which organizes packing events at companies' offices and at Latet's logistics center in Beit Shemesh. Employees from participating firms assist in assembling the food packages destined for those in need, while the companies contribute financially to the food baskets. This year's major partners include Osem-Nestlé, Strauss Group, Clal Insurance and Finance, ICL, Bank Yahav, Harel Insurance, Shastovitz, and other firms involved in packing and volunteer work. Simultaneously, numerous businesses utilize their online platforms and digital resources to solicit donations from the public, in collaboration with Shufersal, bit, Wolt, and other entities. Individuals can also make direct donations to fund the purchase of food packages for families in need.\n\nApart from these contributions, the campaign benefits from financial support from philanthropic foundations, including the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, CBN, the Azrieli Foundation, and others. These entities help ensure that Latet can extend assistance to families and populations across the nation during the holiday. The organization aims to distribute more than 30,000 food packages to families and elderly Israelis supported through its network of partner organizations. Latet's CEO, Eran Weintraub, emphasized that the campaign's success depends on the extensive partnership between the public, business, and philanthropic sectors. In a period of rising assistance demand and growing struggles to meet living expenses, every donation, volunteer hour, and cooperation holds substantial value. Weintraub expressed his gratitude for the current mobilization, stating that it enables them to transform mutual responsibility into reality, ensuring that as many families as possible can celebrate the holiday with dignity.",
  "summary": "The campaign includes food and cash donations, food package-packing events, fundraising from the public and business sector, and collaborations through online and digital platforms.",
  "key_points": [
    "Demand for food assistance in Israel surges 32% ahead of Tishrei holidays",
    "Latet organization leads annual holiday aid campaign with businesses and volunteers",
    "Donors Pack project organizes packing events at companies and logistics center"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The surge in demand for food assistance ahead of Rosh Hashanah signals growing economic hardship and food insecurity among Israeli families, highlighting the need for partnerships between public, business, and philanthropic sectors.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Jerusalem Post",
        "title": "Trains to run on special Rosh Hashanah schedule, Israel Railways announces",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/trains-to-run-on-special-rosh-hashanah-schedule-israel-railways",
        "published": "2026-09-07T23:00:43.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}