Supporting Israel's Communities: Our Partnership with Pitchon Lev.

At Let's Do Something (LDS), our mission is to build a brighter and safer future for Israel. Through pro-Israel engagement, enhancing defense capabilities, and supporting those affected by the ongoing war and global antisemitic attacks, we strive to ensure no Israeli or Jew is left behind. Today, we are proud to highlight our partnership with Pitchon Lev, a leading humanitarian organization. This partnership enables us to deliver critical aid to those in need.

Who Is Pitchon Lev?

Pitchon Lev, founded in 1998, is an apolitical, not-for-profit organization dedicated to breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty in Israel. Every year, they provide direct assistance to over 160,000 individuals, regardless of gender, religion, race, or nationality. From food distribution to educational programs, Pitchon Lev addresses immediate needs while working toward long-term solutions.

Meeting with the Knesset:

We were invited to a roundtable discussion at the Knesset to discuss the state of Mifunim, translated as Evacuees or Displaced Persons, marked by an unprecedented turnout of over ten Knesset members. Their presence demonstrated a collective acknowledgment of the urgency to address poverty in Israel and a willingness to engage with nonprofits, government agencies, and affected citizens.

• The strong presence of Knesset members reflected growing recognition of poverty as a critical, bipartisan issue, with many voicing a commitment to action.
  
  
• Eli Cohen, CEO of Pitchon Lev, praised this early momentum and stressed that meaningful policy change requires sustained effort and collaboration.
  
  
• The event showcased a potential for unified action between government and nonprofits. Eli noted that this is just the start of a long journey toward systemic change.

For Let’s Do Something, the event at the Knesset was a clear affirmation of the value we bring to the fight against poverty in Israel. In a room filled with key decision-makers and influencers, we represented a significant portion of invited guests—a testament to our growing presence and contribution to this mission.

The Current Situation.

Over a year has passed since the devastating events of October 7th, and we’re still in the midst of this war. Thousands of Israeli families were forced from their homes and continue to face immense challenges. Out of the approximately 143,000 mifunim, many remain in temporary accommodations. This statistic is not only a number, it represents people—mothers, fathers, children, and seniors—all seeking stability and hope.

Some mifunim have been able to return home to their original communities, and others have chosen to become transplants in the new communities they were forced to make the most of. These transplants have had to make the executive decision to move out of hotels and temporary accommodations, try to find new employment, enroll their children in new schools, and start over in new communities after 15+ months of living as internal refugees. While we have fragile ceasefires up North and down South, the reality of displaced families remains a pressing issue.

Kibbutzim:

The geographical distribution of evacuees from a single community directly impacts resilience, morale, and the preservation of the community's lifestyle. This is especially true for rural communities like Moshavim and Kibbutzim, where people are culturally interdependent on one another.

“Yachad” provided information showing the dispersion of individuals and groups from each community between different municipalities. Ultimately, this data sheds light on how separated evacuees are from each other and their familiar support systems, while leaving them alienated within the new locations.

Number of hotels by the number of evacuees staying in them from various Kibbutzim from June 20, 2024:

Urban Cities:

In times of crisis, regardless of rural or urban living, people rely on their local community for social support and shared resources. As displaced individuals find themselves in hotels or temporary accommodations, many areas are ill-equipped to meet their needs. Evacuees face ongoing challenges accessing essential services like healthcare, education, and employment opportunities.

The widespread dispersion of evacuees will have lasting implications for community cohesion and identity. The erosion of collective narratives and shared experiences weakens the fabric that binds communities together. As individuals forge new lives in isolation, the unique characteristics of their original communities begin to fade. By prioritizing the well-being of evacuees and creating opportunities for them to rebuild their lives while honoring their roots, we can aid in their resilience and reintegration.

Number of hotels by the number of evacuees staying in them from various Cities and Local Councils from June 20, 2024:

Delivering Hope: Our In-Kind Donation of Shoes.

In collaboration with Pitchon Lev, LDS recently facilitated the shipment of shoes, alongside other humanitarian aid items, to displaced individuals across Israel. These shoes will make their way to families and individuals through Pitchon Lev’s extensive distribution network.

Why shoes? While they may not solve every problem, shoes are a step forward—quite literally. People with shoes can go places. They can get things done.

Not worrying about your child needing winter boots, having a size that can support medical inserts, or finally replacing your old shoes because you never found the time or resources to do so, are all small gestures we can provide today. Shoes provide comfort, mobility, and a sense of dignity to those navigating uncertain times. Shoes may seem simple, but they let Mifunim know that we are still thinking of them. That we still care.

We’re Doing Something, Together.

Since October 7th:

• Over 80,000 individuals remain displaced
• Thousands of businesses have been destroyed
• Over 1.2 million Israelis now live below the poverty line

By addressing immediate needs like clothing, footwear, and hygiene supplies, we help ease some of the burdens these individuals face daily.

Every contribution—big or small—is a meaningful step toward helping displaced families rebuild their lives. Together, with partners like Pitchon Lev, we are making a tangible impact, one shipment at a time.

Final Thoughts.

At LDS, we believe in turning faceless statistics back into stories of resilience and hope. By supporting initiatives like our partnership with Pitchon Lev, you’re not just providing material aid; you’re giving people the tools they need to move forward. We’re ensuring that mifunim know they are not forgotten.

Donate, and make a difference today.