“The first word that comes to mind when I think of GPF is integrity.”

Being part of the GPF family was like a shield for me, giving me the confidence of knowing I was doing the right thing and was on the right track.

With the help of GPF, I was able to overcome the struggles and challenges that come with running a small operation, and successfully pulled off 60,000 birthday parties for needy children over 10-plus years! This is a truly awe-inspiring accomplishment and a testament to the transformative impact of GPF’s professional and emotional support, presence and partnership.

What an honor it is to always be part of GPF’s special family of good people, all driven by their dreams and powered by their talents and the belief that they can make the world a little better with a little help from their (good people) friends.

 — Ruthie Sobel Luttenberg, Founder, Birthday Angels

“It felt like kismet.”

The early GPF funding was a vote of confidence that helped us continue to believe in what we were doing, even though there was no real professionalized gleaning organization out there at the time. As we continued our work, more funders became attracted to us and our profile and impact continued to grow and it snowballed from there.

I/we hold a great deal of pride being part of the early GPF cohort. We know the care and evaluation that goes into the selection process of each grantee, and how we are interconnected as a cohort of organizations simply doing good.

Food Forward speaks of our work as “sharing abundance,” but also as a “virtuous circle.” GPF’s ongoing mission of nurturing small but mighty non-profits is a perfect example of both of those vital and important things coming together.

 — Rick Nahmias, Founder/CEO, Courageous Parents Network

Al-Baqour, appropriately translated as” first fruits” was started by Shlomit Somech-Lehmann, an Israeli social worker and activist, and Dr. Foad El Sana, a Bedouin pediatrician.  Each, through their respective work, recognized that Bedouin children and their parents do not receive sufficient support through traditional Israeli government programs resulting in critical developmental delays. To address this serious deficiency, they began Al-Baqour which runs programs for parents and toddlers including small lending libraries in Family Health Centers where young children can access books and parents are taught the importance of reading to their children.  In addition, Bedouin women are trained in techniques like story-telling, music and movement.

Our grant is directed to their music and movement program.

For elders at risk of abuse or neglect, and young adults with mental or abuse challenges, MARVA is an extraordinary resource. Dr. Michal Wosner and Dr. Mickey Schindler, MARVA’s main visionaries, use their expertise in both the law and social work to create a holistic operation that reduces suffering, preserves independence and restores dignity.

“So often, legal or social welfare or therapeutic approaches are not enough or sufficient on their own,” said Dr. Schindler. “Each can be effective in some way, but not in a whole way, and not give a complete sort of intervention and solution.” MARVA’s model does just that.

Our grant helps establish a new office in Northern Israel.

It might seem to be all about food, but The Food Project (a program of UEmpower MD), housed in a former elementary school in the blight that is SW Baltimore, is so much more. Instead of the usual reading, writing and ‘rithmetic you expect to be taught there, Michelle Suazo and her small staff and volunteers with expertise in farming, behavioral therapy, public health and social work, focus on bringing hope and culinary skills to local youth who have little about which to be hopeful.

As the pandemic raged around them, programming became virtual and the organization quickly pivoted to provide food and other necessities to this poor neighborhood. The Project prepares and distributes
meals, giving participants on the job experience. They also run a weekly market and offers programs to help
young people cope with the increased emotional stress of the pandemic.

Our funds underwrite the purchase of food and administrative expenses.

“I strive to put myself in someone else’s shoes and to see every human being as a whole. … It is important for every person, regardless of their disabilities, to live a full life in the community, together with all of us.”

For more than 10 years Johanan Flusser worked in a school that catered to kids with serious mental challenges. There, he saw the complex problems these kids and their families faced — including being caught in a system bogged down by bureaucracy, insensitivity, and frequent misdiagnosis. After seeing the downward spiral this often caused, Johanan started Achlah-The Heyanut Center, the only multi-disciplinary institution in Israel that provides hope and solutions to families in crisis, especially those with special needs children. Johanan and his team work without bureaucracy to provide personal assessment and guidance, directing each child and family to suitable resources and a better quality of life.

Our funds underwrite the program’s modest administrative expenses.