Budgeting & Job Placement

The goal of M’farnes is not only to provide food. It is also to…. Build Them UP by helping families stand on their own two feet

Distributing the food cards is of utmost importance, and the bulk of M’farnes’ budget is devoted to the cost of this project. It’s all about sustaining hungry families in times of desperate need. But this huge undertaking is just one part of the M’farnes mission. The organization doesn’t stop with knowing that these families have sufficient food. While their most pressing issue is temporarily taken care of, the situation in a home that needs help with the basics is generally a dire one. M’farnes’ long-term goal for each family is to help them become financially independent. Families deserve to live without the constant stress of trying to make ends meet while still being unable to cover their budget.

This process begins as soon as news of a needy family reaches M’farnes’ desk.

First, our dedicated volunteers sit down, analyze the family’s entire budget, and review all income and expenses. Sadly, by the time a family comes to the point where they lack for food, they are already burdened by numerous debts, living in a vicious cycle of borrowing to repay just so they can continue to stay afloat. Once our team has gained a comprehensive understanding of a family’s situation, we work to find the head of the household a well-paying job. This is a vital step in ensuring the possibility of attaining financial security and independence. Therefore, finding a stable job is our priority, and we spare no effort in finding a suitable position for the client. Amazingly, this quest often takes us to Europe or even the United States, where we pair the people in Eretz Yisrael who have certain skills or experience in specific industries with businesses that can use those talents for remote work. In most cases, wages paid overseas are much higher than the going rate for similar work in Israel. 

The agony of struggling with numerous loans is indescribable. The pressure can weigh heavily on a person and distract them from their daily responsibilities. M’farnes steps in, and procures a single large loan to cover all of the debts. Our staff arranges for easy terms on the payments and ensures that all debts are paid off immediately. With all debt consolidated into a single, affordable monthly payment, the loan can be paid off gradually without stress. In an ideal world, a sound budget would suffice to ensure financial stability. For some families, the first part of the process is sufficient. Once their debts are put on a payment plan, their budget is balanced, and they’re set up with a better income, they do not require any further aid and are able to go on without any further assistance. The unfortunate reality in Israel is that in many cases, despite the best efforts and steady wages, food affordability still poses a major challenge. 

Nobody, especially children, should ever go hungry. And so, even after balancing the budget and increasing the income, M’farnes keeps the weight of grocery shopping off the family’s stretched budget, and still maintains their support until the family is financially secure and independent.