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News from The Ark: August 2025
News from The Ark:
August 2025
What the Budget Reconciliation Bill Means for Our Clients
The federal budget reconciliation bill signed into law on July 4th represents sweeping changes to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The legislation includes nearly $300 billion in cuts over the next decade and expanded work requirements for adults up to age 64 and parents of teens over 14. In Illinois, more than 200,000 residents could see their benefits reduced or eliminated. With the average SNAP benefit currently just $191 per month, barely enough to cover groceries for a household of one, these changes will have a profound impact on individuals, and families of all sizes.
For many in Chicagoland’s Jewish community, the strain is already visible. Studies on Jewish economic vulnerability reveal that a growing number of households struggle to meet basic needs – 1 in 5 in Chicago and the suburbs, and 1 in 4 in areas closest to The Ark’s location in West Rogers Park. SNAP is a lifeline and an important tool to offset grocery costs which are even higher for those keeping a kosher home. When benefits are reduced, the pressure on The Ark’s kosher food pantries, already relied on by roughly 70% of our clients, will only grow.
Seniors and those living on fixed incomes will now face stricter requirements, forcing impossible choices between food, medicine, and rent. One client recently shared how they are already feeling the strain as a single parent of teens.
“Housing costs take more than half of my monthly income. My SNAP benefits of $650, along with monthly pantry visits at The Ark, help me get through the month, but I do not know how I will manage with these cuts. With a house full of teenagers, just as they're growing, so are their appetites.” - Ark client
Jewish safety-net agencies like The Ark will be asked to fill gaps that philanthropy alone cannot replace. Without policy protections, many vulnerable Jewish Chicagoans will face food insecurity and instability, with The Ark standing as a critical line of defense. Community support remains crucial in helping us bridge these gaps and ensuring Jewish families in Chicago do not face hunger alone.
When government aid falls short, The Ark steps in with kosher groceries, rent assistance, health care, case management, and other vital services. As more people struggle to stay afloat, the demand for these programs continues to rise.
JCC Chicago’s Apachi Day Camp Collects 2,500 Pantry Items
This summer, JCC Chicago’s Apachi Day Camp partnered with The Ark to engage six locations across the camp community in a pantry collection drive to support Ark clients. More than 4,200 campers, families, and staff from Apachi locations in Chicago, Evanston, Northbrook, and Lake Zurich, collected 2,500 items – valued at over $4,000! The donations,
including kosher food and essential non-food items, will help sustain The Ark’s food pantries in Chicago and Northbrook, easing the financial burden on local households.
Led by the Counselors-in-Training (CITs), this program not only provided critical resources but also gave CITs the opportunity to develop leadership skills, participate in educational training, and actively engage with The Ark by sorting donations. This initiative fosters a spirit of giving back, helping build stronger ties to their community and instilling a lifelong commitment to Tikkun Olam, taking action to repair the world.
Apachi Day Camp's partnership spells "A" for Apachi and The Ark with $4,000 worth of goods collected.
The Ark thanks JCC Chicago's Apachi Day Camp for their partnership, and for taking this powerful step in shaping the next generation of compassionate leaders.
You can help too, as the high holidays approach. Join us today and pack The Ark's pantries.
Volunteer Spotlight: Anne Opila Brings Professional Experience to The Ark
When Anne Opila retired after more than 40 years in project management for companies like Procter & Gamble, General Mills, and PepsiCo, she thought she’d slow down. Instead, she found herself starting a new chapter, one just as busy, but in a completely different way.
Moving back to her hometown of Chicago, Anne decided to explore volunteer opportunities. “I always had the urge to give back, even while working full-time,” she says. “But I never had the time. Suddenly, I did.”
She dipped her toes into a variety of roles, helping at food pantries, joining Repair Café, and even working on a farm. Then she found The Ark.
Anne began her journey as part of our Wednesday volunteer crew, helping with projects like sorting High Holiday food and packing bags. But when one of our staff members went on maternity leave, Anne stepped in, bringing the planning and organizing skills she had honed while managing large-scale projects throughout her career.
The result was a practical, streamlined way of managing initiatives that saved time, clarified goals, and helped teams work together more effectively. For Anne, The Ark offers something special. “It uses my brain, my background, and my passion, and it also gives me the joy of working with collaborative, kind, and passionate people. That’s a rare combination.”
Her advice to others, especially those stepping into retirement, is simple: explore widely, stay open, and look for the sweet spot where your skills and the needs of an organization overlap. “That’s where you can make the most difference and get the most back.”
Now It’s Your Turn: The Ark offers opportunities across every department for volunteers to share their professional skills, whether you’re a planner, creator, organizer, communicator, or problem solver. If you have experience to offer and a passion for supporting our community, we’d love to hear from you.
It's Not Too Late to Support Our Students
The Ark’s distribution of essential school supplies and gift cards to families in our community is underway, but it’s not too late to help. Join us with a gift to support The Ark’s Back-to-School Program and help over 1,100 kids start Kindergarten to 12th grade equipped with the supplies they need, and confidence and excitement for the new year.
Donate today and double your impact! All gifts up to $50,000 will be matched by a generous group of Ark donors.
Buy Rosh Hashanah Cards and Support The Ark
Support The Ark’s vital work while sharing new years’ greeting card wishes with your family and friends. Order printed cards or a personalized e-card, and your entire donation will make a direct impact to uplift those in need across Jewish Chicagoland.
Thank You to Our Talented Summer Interns
We’d like to recognize our dedicated interns from Jewish United Fund's Lewis Summer Internship Program, and those with independent interships, who recently returned to school. They contributed across departments at The Ark, helping us make meaningful progress toward our mission. We’re grateful for their hard work and impact. Thank you to:
- Jack Burkman, Data and Planning
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Romy Clorfene, Development
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Nessy Draiman, Gesher Adult Day Program
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Ben Hanus, Gesher Adult Day Program
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Lila Katz, Marketing and Communications
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Ben Kogan, Marketing and Analytics
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Ally Meiselman, West Rogers Park Market
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Jamie Schencker, IT
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Orly Srulovitz, Volunteer and Outreach
- Zach Zimbalist, Financial Counseling/Social Services
Ark interns enjoy the Outdoor Terrace at The Ark's Chicago location (left), after all Lewis interns visited The Ark and participated in a volunteer program.
Are You Looking for Other Ways to Get Involved?
- Volunteer as a Friendly Greeter in West Rogers Park and welcome clients as they arrive for their appointments or programs.
- Lead a Pop-up class for the Gesher program – share a story, special skill or talent and connect with clients navigating ongoing mental health challenges.
- Schedule a tour of our West Rogers Park or Northbrook locations for a first-hand understanding of how The Ark provides support to address needs in our local Jewish Community.
- Make a connection between your company or organization and The Ark for a group tour, informational program, and service project.
- To learn more, contact us at volunteer@arkchicago.org.
Make a Difference in Our Community
Every gift to The Ark ensures that those facing hardship find a safety net and lifeline of support.
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Learn More About The Ark
Food Assistance and Pantry
We Are Here to Help
Refer a loved one or someone you know to The Ark for support from experienced case managers who create individualized plans using The Ark’s wide array of free services.
Call 773-973-1000 or visit arkchicago.org.
The Ark is a vibrant hub of vital human services, empowered by Jewish values, that lifts and strengthens the Jewish community.
Community-funded. A partner with the Jewish United Fund in serving our community.
