Through an emergency grant from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, also known as the Claims Conference, Jewish Family & Children’s Services has extended its assistance to Holocaust survivors living in Southern Arizona during the coronavirus pandemic.
With the $17,000 grant from Claims Conference’s Holocaust Survivor COVID-19 Urgent Response Fund, earmarked for food programs and medical supplies, JFCS sent $75 Fry’s grocery gift cards to each survivor in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of Victory Day in Europe in the beginning of May. At the end of May, it sent another $75 gift card and personal protective equipment supplies, which included 50 surgical masks, a box of medical gloves, disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer, and one cloth mask. The Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona partnered with JFCS to provide delivery of the packages through its senior transportation program. Cloth masks were donated by Mending Souls and Stitches. Last week, JFCS delivered another package of PPE supplies.
Survivors have been grateful for the aid.
“Nice surprise. It made my day. Thank you very much for thinking of us and for providing such needed assistance,” said Lisa Grabell, a survivor from Vienna, Austria.
