The Welfare Ministry estimates that the number of requests for traditional pre-Passover aid will rise by 50% this year. The Passover charity campaign is a tradition rooted in Jewish Law and known as Maot Chittim (Wheat Money) or Kimcha D'Pischa (Passover Flour).
Some 120 charity associations from around the country have already asked the Welfare Ministry for help in meeting the needs of the poor. These do not include countless other organizations that are not registered officially as such. The "official" organizations will help 266,000 families - compared to 170,000 last year - to a total tune of 135 million shekels, or just over 500 shekels ($112) per family.
Last year, 95 associations turned to the Welfare Ministry, and received a subsidy of some 30 shekels per food-basket. Part of the money came from the Unclaimed Inheritances Fund of the Justice Ministry. It is not yet known how much money will be available for this purpose this year.
The increase in welfare requests is said to be related directly to the drop in National Insurance payments and allocations - especially child-allowance payments.
The largest recognized organization is Hasdei Yosef in Jerusalem, which received allocations for 21,629 food baskets last year - and this year has asked for 26,000. Organizations are recognized only after they have operated for at least two years, spend no more than 1/3 of their income on non-welfare related costs, and set income standards for the families receiving help.
Some 120 charity associations from around the country have already asked the Welfare Ministry for help in meeting the needs of the poor. These do not include countless other organizations that are not registered officially as such. The "official" organizations will help 266,000 families - compared to 170,000 last year - to a total tune of 135 million shekels, or just over 500 shekels ($112) per family.
Last year, 95 associations turned to the Welfare Ministry, and received a subsidy of some 30 shekels per food-basket. Part of the money came from the Unclaimed Inheritances Fund of the Justice Ministry. It is not yet known how much money will be available for this purpose this year.
The increase in welfare requests is said to be related directly to the drop in National Insurance payments and allocations - especially child-allowance payments.
The largest recognized organization is Hasdei Yosef in Jerusalem, which received allocations for 21,629 food baskets last year - and this year has asked for 26,000. Organizations are recognized only after they have operated for at least two years, spend no more than 1/3 of their income on non-welfare related costs, and set income standards for the families receiving help.