Volunteer Opportunities

“No one can do everything, but everyone can do something”

Volunteer Opportunities

Mitzvah makers written out in a circle with 4 hands

The Rudman Family Food Pantry

Our mission is to provide food and household supplies in a caring and dignified manner to Long Islanders struggling with food insecurity and poverty. 

2 ways to help: 

Donate: The pantry is currently in need of:  

  • Baby Wipes
  • Laundry Detergent
  • Instant Mashed Potatoes
  • Pretzels

Deliver: Pick up pantry packages from the JCC and deliver to those requesting assistance from the Rudman Family Food Pantry. Days and times are flexible to meet your schedule. For more information, contact Gail Warrack at [email protected]. 

challah loaves wrapped in cellophane with shabbat candles tied around the front

Loaves of Love

This project connects volunteers with Holocaust survivors twice a month. Challah and Shabbos candles are delivered by volunteers in time for Shabbat.  Believe it or not, we now have 39 Holocaust survivors who receive Loaves of Love Shabbos packages!  

Donate: Kosher Challahs are needed for the Loaves of Love packages which can be dropped off at the JCC or ordered through ZuckerBakers Bake Shop for delivery. Please contact Shari Cleary at [email protected] 

Deliver: Be a part of this special program by signing up to deliver these packages.  Please contact Shari Cleary at [email protected] 

a blue backpack that says back to school

Fill-A-Backpack School Supplies Project

Help a child start the school year feeling prepared. Supply a child with a new backpack filled with school supplies.  

If interested, please contact Gail Warrack at [email protected]and we will follow up with child's name, grade, interests, and school supplies needed. 

Dates: August 3, 2026-August 12, 2026

a blue backpack that says back to school

Supplies For Success

Supplies for Success: The Mid Island Y Jewish Community Center is proud to partner with the nonprofit organization Supplies for Success, which for 25 years has helped provide school supplies to children from underserved communities. Together, we have helped more than 350,000 students start the school year prepared and ready to succeed.

Date: Tuesday, August 4, 2026 from 10:00 am–12:00 pm

Location: Mid Island Y JCC

Details: Please join us to pack backpacks for students in Kindergarten–12th Grade. We kindly request a $10 donation for the supplies to be made.

an older woman holding a bouquet of flowers

Sunshine for Seniors

Add some happy to the birthday of a senior in our community.

You will be provided the recipient’s name and address.

Birthday packages can include cake, flowers, balloons or anything festive.

Please call the senior and deliver your package on their birthday!

For more information, contact Gail Warrack at [email protected].

green, yellow, and orange cloth bags in a row filled with pantry items

Pantry Package Delivery

Pick up pantry packages from the JCC and deliver to those requesting assistance from the Rudman Family Food Pantry.

Days and times are flexible to meet your schedule.

For more information, contact Gail Warrack at [email protected].

Mitzvah Makers

Let us help you and your family create a meaningful mitzvah project.  We have many project ideas to share! Have an idea in mind? We would love to help you make it happen!  We would love to set up a time to meet and discuss.   For more information contact [email protected] or [email protected]

Teaching our children ways to help others is an important part of their development. At this special time in a child’s life, it is a perfect opportunity to instill values of generosity and kindness and strengthen our Long Island community.

Studies find that dedicating just a bit of time each week to helping others increases an overall sense of contentment and well-being. It is also the best way to raise empathetic and socially aware children.

Mitzvah Project Ideas:

a brown box filled with cereal boxes, toilet paper, and other pantry items

Front Porch Pantry Project

You and your family can make a difference. Help us fill the shelves of the Mid-Island Y JCC’s Rudman Family Food Pantry.

Pick up a collection box, poster and flyers from the JCC. Place the poster on your collection box & put on your “front porch”.

Start your collection by contacting family and friends and distributing flyers to your neighbors to let them know you are running a front porch food collection. When the box is filled, you can return it to the JCC.

For more information, contact Shari Cleary at [email protected]

glass dishes with cooked food in each section

Mitzvah Meals

Volunteer to cook and deliver a warm meal to a homebound senior or individual experiencing food insecurity or illness.

You can cook alone or with a group and provide as few as one delivery or as many as 10 deliveries.

For more information, contact Gail Warrack at [email protected].

a gift wrapped box opened with cake mix, lollipops, birthday candles, and bows

Candlewishes

Bring the joy of celebrating a birthday to a child living in a shelter, transitional home or in an underserved community who often has their birthday pass without any celebration.

We will provide their name, age and interests to help you create a personalized birthday box.

Along with a wrapped birthday gift, each box should contain cake mix, frosting, candles, party plates, napkins & decorations.

We partner with Harmony Health and Birthday Wishes Long Island.

For more information, contact Gail Warrack [email protected]

Coming Soon:

a cloth shopping bag filled and other pantry items around it

Project Replenish

Our 11th annual Project Replenish event will take place with our partner synagogues in September.

This project helps us replenish the Rudman Family Food Pantry.

For more information, contact Shari Cleary at [email protected].

fresh produce in baskets

Project Fresh

Help us provide fresh fruits and vegetables to pantry recipients.

Help families prepare chicken soup for Rosh Hashanah.

Dates:
TBA
8:00 am-4:00 pm

We are collecting:
Pre-Packaged Soup Greens

Collection bins will be located outside the main door of the MIYJCC.

All donations will be distributed to the clients of our Rudman Family Food Pantry, Gerald J. Ryan Outreach Center in Wyandanch and Helping Hands Rescue Mission of Huntington.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

a red, blue and green winter coat

Stay Warm This Winter

We are collecting CLEAN hats, coats, gloves and scarves.

Collection Dates

October 18-19, 2026

All coats must be CLEAN and ready to wear.

Please bag all donations and place in collection bin outside entrance to the Mid-Island Y JCC.

a red, blue and green winter coat

Celebrate Thanksgiving 

Create Thanksgiving packages for the clients of the Rudman Family Food Pantry.  

Dates TBD