Observer Fundraising benefits The Jewish Federation of Volusia & Flagler Counties
Thanks to the 32 people who subscribed for weekly driveway delivery of the Ormond Beach Observer in the past month or so, we were able to make a $640 donation to The Jewish Federation of Volusia & Flagler Counties this week, in support of the Jerry Doliner Food Bank.
It was a successful launch of Observer Fundraising, a new initiative in which we donate $20 to a charitable cause for every $52 annual subscription to the newspaper. This is one way we are trying to fulfill our mission to build community spirit. I was inspired by the many people who called our office, saying they wanted to support the food bank.
Rabbi Dr. Robert B. Lennick was happy to hear about the donation. I met him in the construction trailer on July 15, outside the Jewish Federation offices, which are being renovated for the first time in 50 years, at 470 Andalusia Ave., Ormond Beach.
When I asked him what motivates him to help feed the hungry in the community, he told a story. One day a rabbi asked his class what was the most important commandment. The answer? The most repeated commandment must be the most important. This one is repeated 36 times in the Torah: “Remember the heart of the stranger, because you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” In other words, it’s a commandment to have empathy.
“Put yourself in other people’s shoes,” Lennick said. “Everything else that’s good can flow out of that, and it’s probably repeated so often because it’s so hard for people to do.”
To receive food from the Jerry Doliner Food Bank, all you need to do is show up sometime between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Wednesdays, with proof of address. People of all faiths — or no faith — are welcome.
“Anyone who’s hungry can come here,” Lennick said. “No questions asked.”
The food bank and its volunteers are on pace to help 20,000 individuals in 2025, up from 13,000 in 2023, Lennick said.
The Jewish Federation also is giving away backpacks for the 30th year in a row. If you need a backpack, contact the guidance department at your school, and they will help make arrangements.
What’s next for Observer Fundraising? Whenever you buy a $52 subscription for driveway delivery of the Observer at www.observerlocalnews.com/subscribe for the next month or so, you can also select a school to support, and the Observer will then donate $20 to the parent-teacher association, to help local students.
As a reminder, the newspaper is still free to pick up in newsstands around town, and you can also see an electronic version of the print newspaper by clicking “e-newspaper” at www.observerlocalnews.com.