Winter has settled over Israel, bringing with it rising hardship for the country’s most vulnerable citizens: seniors living alone, struggling with food insecurity, and in need of a warm, nourishing meal. Leket Israel, the country’s leading food rescue organization, is responding with urgency.
Every week, it salvages high-quality surplus food and redistributes it to 415,000 Israelis in need, 45% of them seniors, a lifeline for thousands who simply cannot afford fresh, nutritious meals.
Anna, 73, from Migdal HaEmek, shares how food support from Leket Israel has helped her
Anna’s story: strength following unimaginable loss
Among them is Anna, 73, from Migdal HaEmek. She arrived in Israel from Kazakhstan three decades ago after losing her five-year-old daughter to a serious illness, a tragedy that has shaped her life ever since. Living alone and navigating the challenges of old age, Anna carries a quiet resilience. “I try to find something small to appreciate every day,” she says, her optimism somehow intact despite years of hardship.
Twice a week, Anna visits a local nonprofit partnered with Leket Israel. There, she receives a freshly prepared meal, but she also finds something equally precious: community. She meets neighbors, chats with familiar faces and feels the warmth of connection so many seniors go without. “When I see the Leket Israel truck bringing the food, I get emotional,” she says. “It’s comforting to know that someone cares enough to provide us with fresh, tasty food. Every day we get something different!”
Food that nourishes more than just the body
For Anna and thousands like her, Leket Israel is not just delivering meals, it is delivering dignity, stability and a sense of being seen. Leket’s volunteers and staff work year-round to ensure rescued food is handled with care and reaches those who rely on it. “I’m so grateful to Leket Israel for what they do,” Anna says. “They support people who truly need it. What more could anyone ask for than good food and good people?”
This winter, the need is only growing. With a donation of $180, supporters can help feed a senior for three months, ensuring someone like Anna has a hot meal, and a warm place to belong. As temperatures continue to fall, Leket Israel’s mission becomes all the more urgent: to make sure no senior sits alone in the cold, wondering where their next meal will come from.