Meir Panim (in Hebrew: 'to bring a smile to someone's face') is the largest supplementary welfare services agency in Israel. It was established in 2001 to provide practical solutions to the problems faced by Israelis living in poverty, the ranks of which have swelled dramatically in the last few years. Meir Panim’s raison d’être is to prevent poverty, distress and dependence on governmental aid or charity, and to build self-esteem and independence amongst needy populations in Israel. Meir Panim's UK branch aims to raise awareness and support for the organisation's work in Israel.

The Meir Panim network of relief centres encompasses 30 branches throughout Israel. Meir Panim’s food services provide a solution to the growing problem of food insecurity amongst the underprivileged and elderly in Israel, homebound and Holocaust survivors while preserving their self-respect. It provides a million and a half meals every year as well as critical services free of charge, to more than 100,000 poor children and their families.

Meir Panim distributes 1000 food shopping cards that look like credit cards, which are used as a gift card at major food chain stores. Meir Panim also manages 9 after-school youth clubs in Acco, Hatzor, Tiberias, Safed, Kiryat Gat and Or-Akivah for underprivileged students, providing a relaxed and supportive environment with professional guidance and help with schoolwork, as well as vocational training courses for the unemployed – the elderly, underprivildged, women, new immigrants and at-risk youth. We also run recreation clubs for the elderly.

Meir Panim’s Power of Giving (POG) warehouses collect secondhand equipment including furniture and home electrical appliances donated by Israeli citizens, and distributes them to individuals in need across the country through twelve warehouses. Meir Panim also furnishes apartments for lone soldiers and assists newly-married couples and refugees from Darfur.

For more information, please contact:
Gabriel Blauer, Executive Director of UK Branch of Meir Panim.
UK Branch of Meir Panim, 58 Longfield Ave. NW7 2EG, London.
Tel: 020 82027508 or 07985 511 475, gaby.blauer@meirpanimuk.org

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