Hunger Relief Food Packaging Program

The Project Elijah Foundation was established in 2004 to provide resources for children in Buenos Aires, Argentina suffering because of the collapse of the Argentine economy.  In PEF's efforts to provide food, shelter, and education for these children, PEF learned about the depth of hunger not only in Argentina, but around the world even here in America, in our own “back yard”.  This became PEF's focus.

That awareness and understanding led us to the development of “Elijah’s Kosher Manna”, a highly nutritious kosher food package intended for hunger relief for those in need here and abroad.  This program, which began as a strictly Jewish hunger relief program, has shifted its focus to sharing its resources with all those in need.

Elijah’s Kosher Manna is a nutritious vegetarian food product made from soy protein, pasta, dehydrated vegetables, and a vitamin/mineral flavoring mix:

• This product has been evaluated and approved by the Food Science and Human Nutrition Department of Iowa State University.
• PEF's kosher certification is supervised by the Orthodox Union and those who keep Glatt Kosher may consume it without having to choose between maintaining kashrut and going hungry, including the Muslim community.

Elijah’s Kosher Manna is packaged by local communities.  When a community sponsors a packing, The Project Elijah Foundation organizes and provides equipment, ingredients, and supervision of the packing process.  Volunteer children and adults gather together in production lines to package this much needed food.  People of all ages and physical abilities can participate.  In as little as one hour, 100 volunteers can generate over 16,000 meals.   If requested, all or a portion of PEF's Kosher Manna will remain in the local community.  If no request is made the food is available to others in the U.S. or on a worldwide basis.  PEF is responding to the crisis in Haiti by sending thousands of meals to those in need.

As the price of food increases with no immediate end in sight, the need in all communities will increase as more and more people become food insecure.  This is in addition to the large numbers of hungry people that are already so desperately in need of help.  This act of "repair of the world" feeds not only the hungry, but also feeds the soul of each volunteer.  By participating in a packing PEF teaches children and adults not only the importance of making the world better, but that EACH person can make a difference.

On January 15, 2008 we proudly shipped 44,000 meals to the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty’s food bank in Brooklyn, New York.  Elijah’s Kosher Manna is being distributed to the 14,000 Jewish families that their organization serves each month.  The Met Council has stated that they hope we can keep them supplied in the future, and have asked for thousands of meals each month.  PEF can do it, with YOUR help.

Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger endorses our Kosher Manna program through grants, and by publicizing this nutritious source of food.

Please consider helping us with our Elijah’s Kosher Manna Program.  PEF is a 501 (c) (3) organization and your gift is 100 % tax deductible to the extent the law applies.

For further information please contact  Elijah’s Kosher Manna Program Director, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 515-244-5080.