Chabad of Pensacola Provides Hot Meals and Relief After Hurricane

With widespread power outages and thousands of homes damaged by Hurricane Isaias, Chabad of Pensacola has been providing hot meals, essential assistance, and a welcoming place for residents affected by the storm.

Chabad of Pensacola, Florida, has been providing hot meals and emergency assistance to local residents following Hurricane Isaias, which struck the region Friday night, leaving widespread destruction and power outages.

The Category 2 hurricane brought powerful winds that uprooted trees, damaged thousands of homes, and knocked out electricity to more than 140,000 people. An estimated 80% of Pensacola was left without power, leaving many families unable to refrigerate food or prepare meals.

Even before the storm arrived, Rabbi Mendel and Nechama Danow, directors of Chabad of Pensacola, contacted Jewish families throughout the area to ensure they were prepared and had safe accommodations. Following the hurricane, they began checking on residents and identifying those in need of assistance.

Despite damage to the Tabacinic Family Chabad Jewish Center and a power outage at the facility, the Danows quickly organized a relief effort.

With meat and chicken beginning to thaw in the center’s freezers, they set up an outdoor kitchen and began grilling fresh, hot kosher meals for affected residents.

Over the first three days, more than 100 people visited Chabad for meals, including families without electricity and residents exhausted from cleaning up storm damage. The meals were offered to the broader Pensacola community, regardless of background.

Rabbi Mendel and Nechama arrived in Pensacola in 2018 as shluchim of the Rebbe, under the auspices of Rabbi Schneur Oirechman of Chabad of Tallahassee.

Since then, they have developed a range of programs serving the area’s Jewish community, including a Jewish preschool, kosher store, educational programs, CTeen activities, and Chabad Young Professionals.

The Danows have also assisted residents through previous hurricanes, including Hurricane Sally in 2020, which caused extensive flooding and damage throughout Pensacola.

With electricity now restored to the Chabad Center, the relief effort has expanded. Residents still without power are invited to visit for coffee, cappuccinos, lattes, freshly baked cookies, and a comfortable place to rest or charge electronic devices.

Hot barbecue meals are continuing as families begin the lengthy process of recovering from the storm.

Chabad of Pensacola has also established a Hurricane Relief Fund to help provide food, essential supplies, and assistance to families affected by the disaster.

Donations can be made at ChabadPensacola.com/Relief.

As recovery efforts continue, the Danows remain focused on providing practical assistance and ensuring that residents have a place to turn during this difficult time.

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