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Who We Are

Why Israel?

Who is Meir Panim?

American Friends of Meir Panim (AFMP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the people of Israel by funding the vital work of Meir Panim. Established as an independent entity operating under the laws of New York State and the United States, AFMP provides strategic, board-approved grants to fuel a comprehensive network of nutrition and social service programs on the ground.

Meaning “brightening faces” in Hebrew, Meir Panim was founded in 2000 as a global community committed to restoring hope and dignity to Israel’s most vulnerable populations. Together, we provide a vital lifeline of both immediate and long-term wraparound services to impoverished individuals, young and old alike. Through our dynamic humanitarian programs, our shared mission ensures that no man, woman, or child is ever left to face the hardships of poverty alone.

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Meir Panim brings
people together

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Reuven Rivlin

Former President of Israel

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The most incredible nationwide organization

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Jamie Geller

American-Israeli writer

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Fulfill the biblical mandate to bless Israel

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Erick Stakelbeck

Host, The Watchman TBN News Director endorsement

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Israeli families in poverty

In Israel today, more than 1.8 million people, including one in three children, are living below the poverty line. These are families who work, who serve, who do everything they can — yet month after month, the numbers still don’t add up.

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Our Programs

Volunteer serving meals at Meir Panim's Jerusalem branch those in need

Restaurant-Style Soup Kitchens

Meir Panim’s Restaurant-Style Soup Kitchens offer a dignified alternative to traditional soup kitchens, serving over 2.6 million quality meals annually. By providing a comfortable, welcoming dining setting to impoverished Israelis, we ensure our guests receive both vital nutrition and the respect they deserve.
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Meals on Wheels

For the homebound, elderly, and disabled, visiting a soup kitchen is simply not an option. Meir Panim responds to their needs by delivering roughly 190,000 freshly prepared, nutritious meals directly to their doors each year. This vital program ensures that Israel’s most isolated populations, including many Holocaust survivors, are never left hungry or forgotten.
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Holocaust Survivor Day Center

Meir Panim’s Holocaust Survivor Day Center in Dimona offers specialized programming tailored to the unique needs of survivors. By creating a warm, engaging, and social environment, we ensure our guests receive essential care while enjoying a vibrant sense of community they might otherwise lack.
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After School Clubs

Meir Panim’s after school programs offer vital academic and emotional support to children in Israel’s most impoverished communities. These dedicated spaces ensure that vulnerable youth receive hot meals, educational guidance, and the foundational tools they need to rise above economic hardships.
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Sderot Community Center

Meir Panim operates a dedicated community center designed to help at-risk youth discover their potential and develop essential life skills. By providing a safe, supportive space for personal growth and mentorship, we empower the next generation to break the cycle of poverty.
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Free Shuk (Market)

Our weekly fresh produce markets operate across all five Meir Panim branches, providing 10,000 low-income families with access to nutritious food. By recreating the vibrant atmosphere of a traditional Israeli marketplace, we give our guests the dignity of choosing their own fruits and vegetables to cook at home.
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Volunteer serving meals at Meir Panim's Jerusalem branch those in need

Restaurant-Style Soup Kitchens

Meir Panim’s Restaurant-Style Soup Kitchens offer a dignified alternative to traditional soup kitchens, serving over 2.6 million quality meals annually. By providing a comfortable, welcoming dining setting to impoverished Israelis, we ensure our guests receive both vital nutrition and the respect they deserve.
more about this program

Our Mission

Our mission is to alleviate poverty in Israel. We provide immediate, impactful relief and sustainable, long-term solutions. This is executed through a dynamic network of compassionate food and social wraparound services. We are deeply committed to serving struggling families, children, and seniors with respect and dignity.

Get Involved

Meir Panim’s community is more than just the volunteers on the ground here in Israel. We are a global community with a common passion for supporting the needy in Israel.

Become a volunteer

Help Israel Today

Want to be a part of solving poverty in Israel? It’s easy to make a difference when you partner with Meir Panim by making a monthly donation, or even by making a one time contribution.

Get Involved

Meir Panim’s reach extends far beyond our volunteer teams on the ground in Israel. We are a vibrant global community united by a shared passion to uplift and support Israelis in need. No matter where you live, you play a vital role in our mission. 

Join us today and become a key part of our global family.

Become a volunteer

Help Israel Today

No one should have to face the hardships of poverty alone. Partner with Meir Panim through a recurring or one-time gift today, and provide immediate food security and long-term hope to families in crisis.

Give today and become a vital lifeline for Israelis in need.

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Meir Panim’s reputation has spread from one end of the country to the other, as an organization devotedly involved in the needs of the public.The Meir Panim organization brings people together, and bridges the gap between the different ethnic groups, communities and sectors that make up the population of Israel. But all this is nothing at all in comparison to their endless devotion and concern for the underprivileged among us who depend on the generous gifts of other people.They care for all the needs of those who cannot support themselves, and, in a very real sense, keep them alive.The organization’s primary achievement lies in the fact that the beneficiary never feels like someone in need, like a beggar.

Reuven Rivlin headshot

Reuven Rivlin

Former President of Israel

support Meir Panim

Meir Panim is the most incredible nationwide organization dedicated to serving the impoverished and needy of Israel.

Jamie Geller headshot

Jamie Geller

American-Israeli writer

support Meir Panim

Let’s do our part to fulfill the biblical mandate to bless Israel and help those that are suffering from poverty in the Holy Land.

Erick Stakelbeck headshot

Erick Stackelbeck

Host, The Watchman TBN News Director endorsement

support Meir Panim
Visit the Meir Panim homepage
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