Ormond Jewish Federation offers Thanksgiving meals for 300 needy families

ORMOND BEACH — As Jo-Ann Schurmann watched a volunteer load a frozen turkey and grocery bags filled with holiday fixings into the back of her well-traveled Chrysler minivan, it took only a few words to describe what the scene meant to her family.

“It means the world to us,” said Schurmann, 65, of Ormond Beach. “It means there’s a Thanksgiving dinner on the table.”

Schurmann was among a record 300 families in need that had registered for the annual distribution of Thanksgiving meals on Wednesday at the Jerry Doliner Food Band at the Jewish Federation of Volusia and Flagler Counties.  That total nearly doubles the number of meals distributed a year ago, said Rabbi Rob Lennick, the federation’s executive director.

“The need now in the community is exponentially bigger,” Lennick said, adding that the Federation’s weekly meal distributions have logged a 130% increase week-over-week over the past few months. That represents 20 new families each week, he said.

Closings of food pantries spark additional need

One reason for the increase is likely the recent closing by the City of Daytona Beach of food pantries operated at First Christian Church and Seventh Day Baptist Church in Daytona Beach.

That action was taken because city code prohibits food pantries at a place of worship in any of Daytona's five redevelopment areas, which includes the locations of the two churches.

The food pantries issue is only part of the reason that so many residents are in need, Lennick said.

“That’s part of it, but all kinds of factors figure into this,” he said. “Here in Volusia County, 40% of families live paycheck to paycheck. They are income-challenged and many of these families also have disabled or elderly people in the home. It’s really the kind of thing that could happen to any of us.”

Holiday meal distribution is 'God's gift'

For Jo-Ann Schurmann, 65, and her husband, Samuel, 73, the Social Security and retirement benefits they receive now barely cover rising costs of monthly expenses that include groceries, gas and medications to treat her multiple sclerosis and her husband’s heart disease.

Without help, holiday feasts just aren’t in the cards, she said.

“When the month comes to an end, there isn’t anything left,” she said.

Now, the couple will be able to enjoy a holiday meal with her brother, half-sister and other family members, an improvement over the previous plan to thaw out and cook frozen chicken thighs for two.

“This is God’s gift to me,” she said of the food distribution. “I will figure out a way to pay it forward.”

As the wheels of shopping carts laden with grocery bags scraped across the parking lot at the Federation’s headquarters on Andalusia Avenue, an armada of volunteers, young and old, helped hoist turkeys and bags from among the hundreds awaiting distribution inside.

The roughly 60 volunteers have been working non-stop for 10 days to prepare for the event, said Marvin Miller, the Federation’s president. They represent a cross-section of various faiths throughout the community, he said.

That spirit was applauded by Lennick, who said it represents more than merely the distribution of meals.

“It’s a beautifully generous community,” he said. “There’s exemplary generosity in our community and this illustrates all of it. We give away food, but we’re purveyors of empathy.”

More options for holiday meals

Allen Chapel AME Church is hosting a free community Thanksgiving Day dinner on Nov. 23 starting at from noon to 3 p.m. at the church, 580 George W. Engram Blvd., Daytona Beach. Participants may dine in at the church or request carryout containers. For details call Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 386-255-1195.

Halifax Urban Ministries has partnered with Volusia Basket Brigade to distribute food for Thanksgiving meals to 989 area households. Basket Brigade is a nonprofit organization committed to donating more than 4,000 boxes filled with fixings for a Thanksgiving meal to families throughout Volusia County.

Halifax Urban Ministries also will distribute items for Thanksgiving meals at its local pantries in New Smyrna Beach, Port Orange, Ormond Beach and Daytona Beach. In addition, it will distribute hot Thanksgiving meals for lunch at multiple locations in the Daytona Beach area and serve the Thanksgiving meal at Hope Place and Barracks of Hope. Call 386-317-5886 for more information.

Food Brings Hope Community, through a grant from No Kids Hungry, has partnered with Mosaic and Don Bell Signs to ensure over 200 families enrolled in the Drop The Box Program receive all the elements for a family Thanksgiving dinner.

FBH Community will deliver large food boxes of Thanksgiving fixings, fresh produce/vegetable boxes and turkeys for participating families at Campbell Middle, Lemerand Center of Excellence at Daytona State College and Westside Elementary schools, for pick-up on designated days. Home deliveries were made earlier to families in Deltona and Orange City.

In addition, a monthly FBH Community Food Distribution will be held from noon-4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17 at Greater New Zion Church, 201 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Daytona Beach. Visit foodbringshope.org for more on the organization and its programs.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Thanksgiving meal distribution helps record number in Daytona Beach