Distress ahead of the holiday: demand for food baskets has doubled – "the state continues to ignore"

Against the backdrop of the high cost of living, the Pat Lev Lev organization is distributing 24,000 food baskets to needy families ahead of the holidays. Demand has surged by 100% compared to a regular month, and the cost of the baskets has risen by 20% in two years. The organization criticizes the state's disregard and the absence of Knesset members from distribution centers.

Ahead of the High Holidays, the Pat Lev Lev aid organization is distributing 24,000 food baskets to needy families, twice the usual amount. Demand has surged by 100% compared to a regular month, forcing the organization to split the distribution over two days due to its exceptional scale. Alongside the increase in applicants, the cost of each food basket has risen by about 20% in the last two years, so charities must cope with more families and higher costs. The organization harshly criticized the state: "The state continues to ignore." They also invited Knesset members to the distribution centers to witness firsthand the situation of the families, but none came. "A month before elections, when parties are asking for public trust, it is worth asking: where are the social programs?" they said. The surge in demand joins increases reported by other aid organizations, including the "Laten" organization, which reported a 32% rise in demand.