Yad Ezra opened its doors in 1990 to provide kosher food to vulnerable Jewish families in Southeast Michigan. Yad Ezra’s founders learned that there were impoverished Jews living in the community who relied heavily on government assistance programs, including food stamps.
Yad Ezra was founded to alleviate some of our clients’ financial burdens by distributing groceries to families in need. In 1990, Yad Ezra served an average of 250 families every month. Currently we provide an average of 1,500 impoverished families (almost 4,400 individuals) with food, health care items and household goods every month. In addition, Yad Ezra distributes appropriate foods that help enhance the clients’ celebration of every Jewish holiday.
Aside from providing a variety of kosher food options, Yad Ezra also:
- Supports Jewish Day School lunch programs which benefit nearly 400 children
- Arranges off-site deliveries for clients who are physically unable to come in
- Provides monthly groceries to families in Ann Arbor, Flint, JARC & Kadima homes
- Offers a drive-thru window for those wishing to keep anonymity
- Offers financial assistance through the Harold & Mini Wade Simcha Fund for clients celebrating life cycle events
Vision
A JEWISH COMMUNITY WITHOUT HUNGER
Mission Statement
To nourish those in the Jewish community facing food insecurity through compassion, wellness, and cultural relevance.
Core Values
- Treat clients with dignity, respect and compassion
- Operate efficiently, transparently and responsibly
- Focus on continuous improvement
- Encourage and expand community involvement
Yad Ezra distributes approximately 1,100,000 pounds of free groceries to families in need annually.
Financial
- Yad Ezra Financial Statements (pdf)
- Form 990 (pdf)
Ethics
What We Do
YE vs. Retail Cost
| Family Size | YE cost 2019 | Retail Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Groceries for 2 | $45.71 | $78.83 |
| Groceries for 5 | $88.35 | $152.56 |