Our commitment to the needs of refugees comes from many places: from the biblical injunction to "welcome the stranger" to the personal stories of our community members' families who fled persecution to find safety here in Maine

KJFS is the first National Diaper Bank Network participant in Maine. As a member of the National Diaper Bank Network, we access diapers for 40% of the retail cost.

Unfortunately, diaper need is a significant issue in Southern Maine, with many families facing the heartbreaking challenge of deciding between buying diapers, food, or paying rent each month. We offer diapers to families, and we also distribute diapers to partnering local pantries. KJFS now also distributes menstrual hygiene products and adult incontinence products.

For many families and individuals, including our HIAS clients, essential items like soap, shampoo, detergent, and period products can be too expensive to access consistently. Our essentials pantry collects and distributes items that are not accessible through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or other programs. 

Thanks to the help of our volunteers, the Michael Klahr Jewish Family Services remains committed to gemilut chasadim (acts of loving kindness) in the service of tikkun olam (repairing the world). It is through their incredible commitment and passion that KJFS fulfills its mission of reaching out to those in need in the Southern Maine community.