- December 13, 2025
Marvin Miller, 90, and president of the Jewish Federation of Volusia and Flagler Counties, said he has been working with the Federation going on 30 years.
In all that time, the Jerry Doliner Food Bank has never missed a Wednesday distribution of groceries to those in need. And at Thanksgiving, he said, the Federation is able to help an additional 400 families secure a holiday dinner.
“It’s a blessing all around,” Miller said.
Every year the Federation distributes 400 turkeys and “all the fixings,” Miller said, needed to make a Thanksgiving dinner. On Nov. 19, the nonprofit was able to hand out all 400 turkey dinners, as well as groceries for an additional 126 families.
Typically during the weekly distribution of groceries, Miller said the food bank hands out between 125-150 bags of groceries. When the government shut down in October, that number began increasing immediately by almost 80%, putting a strain on the Federation’s financial and volunteer resources.
“Each one of the people that come here represents a family,” he said. “It could have two or three in [the family], it could have five in the family or more.”
But in turn the community has stepped up. Miller said they have received donations from businesses and organizations across the local communities.
And the Federation’s efforts have truly become an example of interfaith community support. About 98% of the food bank recipients are Christians, he said, and many of the volunteers are also of the Christian faith.
“It's not just a religious thing, it's interfaith, and we're serving our community,” he said. “We love doing it. It's been just a wonderful [thing] happening here that we're able to do this and continue doing it.”
Jewish Federation Rabbi Rob Lennick said over text message that it was a privilege to be able to help their neighbors. One life event can impact an entire family, he wrote, and it could happen to anyone.
“That’s why we are most of all purveyors of compassion,” Lennick wrote. “Thanksgiving is both about gratitude and especially so about giving. Our motto is: Kindness changes everything.”
The Federation will again be distributing turkeys and hams closer to “Christmaskkah,” as Miller calls it, a combination of the Christmas and Hanukkah holidays. Like the Thanksgiving distribution, Miller expects the 400 birds to go fast.
But none of the Federation’s efforts would be possible without the Federation’s volunteers and supporters, he said, calling them all “miracle workers.” Most of the core volunteers are older, he said, but they also get volunteers from a variety of other organizations who come by and help out.
For those who want to donate, Miller said food donations are welcome, but he would recommend a financial donation: the Federation is able to buy directly from Second Harvest foodbank at wholesale prices, allowing their dollar to stretch and cover more food.
Miller said being a part of the Federation “has just been a joy of my life.” Even at 90 years old and after 30 years, he said, he is still having fun with it all.
“The joy never stops,” he said. “It kind of becomes a way of life here. You just look forward to it. And it's just nothing but pleasure being here and helping out.”
