(JTA) – A national food pantry resource center has been established to help provide nutritious kosher food to Jews in need. The Kosher Food Lifeline is a new division of the Orthodox Union (OU), designed to help the at least 215 food agencies in 24 states throughout the United States that provide low-cost or free kosher food to individuals and families who have food access challenges. The Kosher Food Lifeline, which offers need-based food programs assistance with procurement, kosher food distributor relationships, government grants and other logistical support was announced by the OU on Monday. Kedem, which focuses on kosher, gluten-free and all-natural foods, provided a $200,000 grant to launch the inaugural program in advance of Passover 2019. More than 150,000 pounds of Kosher-for-Passover food were distributed to 53 partner organizations who delivered it to communities in Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, Michigan, Massachusetts, Illinois, Rhode Island and the New York tri-state area, supporting over 17,000 Jewish families in need.

CAP: A view of the Masbia food kitchen on Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn. (Courtesy of Masbia)