JFS News Archive

Anyone who has visited Jewish Family Services Food Pantry KesherKC Mobile effort has encountered the friendly smile and warm greeting from Susan Lebovitz. "People sincerely appreciate JFS's generosity,” said Lebovitz, who started volunteering with the agency in 2019. She’s always willing to pitch in where help is needed. To honor her efforts, Lebovitz has been named JFS Volunteer of the ... read more

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, and Jewish Family Services (JFS) is honoring the hard work and dedication of its many volunteers, including Rip Fernholz, who helps with the JFS Food Pantry. JFS has named Fernholz its April Volunteer of the Month. Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Fernholz has experience when it comes to food, having worked in sales in the food services industry ... read more

Sonny Singer is a people person, and connecting with others is one of her favorite things about volunteering with Jewish Family Services. Singer’s dedication to making those connections positive and productive is why JFS is honoring her as its Volunteer of the Month. “The honor bestowed on me is an honor I am paying to JFS,” Singer said. "I refer to my volunteerism as an opportunity, an ... read more

The Regnier family – including Bob and Ann Regnier, Victor A. Regnier, Cathy Regnier, Jon, Kate, Charlotte and Abe Bender - recently made a $150,000 gift to JFS in honor of their parents Vic and Helen Regnier. The gift was made to JFS on the occasion of its 120th anniversary. The Regniers are part of the JFS 120th Anniversary families helping the agency celebrate this milestone. “I was ... read more

Thank you to Gail and Harry Himmelstein for their generous donation to the JFS 120th anniversary campaign to support the organization’s older adult services! The gift establishes the Harry and Gail Himmelstein Older Adults Endowment Fund, housed at the Jewish Community Foundation. "It was time to do something that we knew would boost JFS up and put it toward an area we feel strongly about,” ... read more

Save the Date! The JFS 120th Birthday Bash will take place at the Jewish Community Center on Sunday, April 23, 2023! More details TBA! ... read more

JFS In Your Community 2023 was a year for the books! For JFS, it was a year of connection and growth, of celebration and gratitude. As we look towards 2024, the staff at JFS are so thankful for the support we received this year and grateful that we can continue to serve and support our community members as they struggle though life-changing world events or times of everyday need. We look ... read more

JFS Offices are closed from December 24 - January 2. For the first time ever, JFS will be closed for the last week of the year. Our dedicated JFS team has tirelessly gone into overdrive the past three years to care for our community during very challenging times. To recharge and show appreciation, this break will allow staff to start the new year fresh. JFS staff will be monitoring our ... read more

Dear JFS Family, I wanted to let you know that I have made the difficult decision to retire later this year. I have loved the last 15 years at JFS, working with all of you to improve the lives of thousands of families each year. JFS has such an incredible community; you all have taught me so much about how to help people in ways that I knew little about before I came to the ... read more

Kelly grooms dogs for a living, but she’s currently looking to adopt a cat. “I'm a dog person, but as soon as I get my own place, I'm getting a cat. I’m with dogs 10-12 hours a day. I need a cat in my life.” For the first time in a long time, Kelly is thriving. She graduated from the Pawsperity Grooming School and is currently stably employed in the high-demand field of pet grooming. This is ... read more