Paul & Elisabeth Merage Foundation | Andre & Katherine Merage Foundation
Help Feed Families Affected by COVID-19

The Merage Institute has partnered with IsraAID to help deliver food to communities most in need due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In response to rising unemployment rates that is leaving vulnerable communities at high risk for food insecurity, coupled with severely diminished volunteer reserves to operate food banks, The Paul Merage, Merage Institute, IsraAID and Shalom Corps has activated its volunteer network in California to provide hands-on support to regional food pantry warehouses.

In close partnership with a veterans NGO, we are deploying volunteers across various food pantries, warehouses and “Grab and Go” food box distribution/pick-up locations in Southern California. In California, nearly one in eight people face food insecurity every day. During this catastrophic crisis, low-income families are at an even higher risk of going hungry and are in desperate need of food assistance. We aim to fill a large volunteer gap, which is normally filled by corporate and retired volunteers, by providing support to the much-needed day-to-day pantry operations. Volunteers will be assembling, sorting, and boxing non-perishable food items into family packages.

Click Here to Volunteer
Criteria to join

U.S. Citizenship (mandatory)
Passion to help and make a difference
Physically and mentally fit to work in harsh environments in disaster zones
Age limit: 18 – 60 years old
Complete a core operation training before deployment (participate in a disaster preparedness webinar hosted by IsraAID)
Sign a volunteer agreement
Have active health insurance
Join on the field for at least 5 full days of volunteer work
Limited to individuals with a residency in the USA (due to insurance limitations)
Please consider a tax deductible donation of $180 to help offset costs
If you are based in Israel and interested in joining, please click here to sign up to IsraAID’s roster

FAQs
What are the requirements to join? What if I’ve never done this before?

Please see criteria to join above. Previous experience implementing humanitarian aid is preferred but not required. The IsraAID team will provide a webinar training to prepare volunteers to work on the field. It is mandatory to join a webinar prior to deployment.

Does it cost money?

No. This opportunity is on a volunteer basis. No stipends are provided. We don’t reimburse for any additional expenses.

Will PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) be provided?

We will provide tools and personal protective equipment, including gloves and surgical masks.

How do I sign up?
How long is a typical volunteer experience?

Volunteer timing depends on placement. Deployment coordinator will discuss timing with volunteers. Subject to the needs in the field.

What are the health requirements?

We expect volunteers to be physically and emotionally fit to do physical labor in challenging conditions in disaster-affected areas. We require volunteers to be up to date on their tetanus vaccination.

Are there any terms and conditions?

Yes. You will be sent a copy for your review and sign prior to deployment.

I am interested in volunteering but not available in the next month?

Please register and join our professional Emergency Volunteer roster and our webinars to be announced, thus in future situations you will be contacted to join. To learn about our partner IsraAID’s COVID-19 response visit here.

Amidst a global pandemic and recession, there are countless families who are struggling and in need of help. So we joined forces with IsraAid and Shalom Corps to help bring essential supplies to communities in need. We are in this together. Stay healthy. Stay safe. Stay Sane

Paul Merage, Founder and CEO
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