The Southern Arizona Jewish community’s annual High Holidays food and fund drive benefiting the Community Food Bank, Project Isaiah, will run from Sept. 4 through Oct. 17.
The need is great, with a 22 percent increase in the number of people seeking food assistance compared with last year.
Non-perishable food items may be dropped off at 15 synagogue and Jewish agency locations throughout Southern Arizona.
Monetary donations may be made at https://jparizona.givingfuel.com/project-isaiah-2026 or by sending a check payable to Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona to 3718 E. River Road, Suite 100, Tucson, AZ 85718, with “Project Isaiah” on the memo line.
Each 1.2 pounds of food is equal to one meal, and each dollar contributed provides three meals. Last year, the Jewish community contributed more than 3,000 pounds of food and almost $3,000 in donations through Project Isaiah, allowing the food bank to distribute the equivalent of 11,000 meals to people facing food insecurity across Southern Arizona.
The drive is named for the Prophet Isaiah, who, when asked why we fast on Yom Kippur, responded, “Is it not to share your bread with the hungry?” (Isaiah 58:7). It is a hands-on way for the community to practice tzedakah and fulfill the commandment to help others.
The Hebrew word “tzedakah” is often translated as “charity” but literally means “righteousness” or “justice,” in keeping with the Jewish belief that helping the needy is an ethical obligation.
The Community Food Bank supports Mobile Meals and Interfaith Community Services, both of which are fundholders at JPSA’s Jewish Community Foundation.
Dropoff locations for Project Isaiah donations in 2026 are Congregation Anshei Israel, Congregation Beit Simcha, Congregation Bet Shalom, Chabad Jewish Center of Vail, Congregation Chaverim, Handmaker, Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Southern Arizona, Jewish Free Loan, JPSA, Kol Ami Synagogue, Shul of Tucson, Tucson Hebrew Academy, Tucson Jewish Community Center, Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center, and Tucson Torah Center.
The most-needed non-perishable food items include peanut butter; oatmeal, cereal, and granola bars; canned tuna and chicken; canned tomato products, soups, vegetables, and fruit; rice, pasta, and beans; and packaged nuts and seeds.
