Frequently Asked Questions
While most of our funds are raised from the Jewish community, we allocate funds to organizations who support the hungry, without regard to religion.
A food bank provides food to the hungry. MAZON Canada provides funding to food banks and other front line organizations battling hunger.
Allocation is based upon a number of criteria. MAZON likes to fund organizations with small, low-capitalized operations which deal directly with the hungry; those who target specific groups in need, particularly children and single-parent families; those with a high volunteer presence; and those that work to end food-bank dependency.
The bulk of our donors reside either in the GTA (Greater Toronto area) or Montreal. We have representation in Calgary and we are marketing MAZON in the Jewish media in other major cities across Canada.
Donations cannot at this time be targeted to a specific recipient organization. Rather, our Allocations Committee makes the determination, semi-annually on which requesting organizations will receive funding based upon the criteria outlined above.
Please refer to our section entitled “How Can You Help” which outlines volunteer opportunities.
We speak at schools, synagogues and other community organizations in order to raise awareness of the plight of the hungry.
Leviticus 19:9
"Now when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest."
Deuteronomy 4:14
"When you reap your harvest in your field and have forgotten a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow, in order that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.
The Jerusalem Talmud Git 5:9
"In a city where non-Jews and Jews live, the tzedakah collectors collect from Jews and non-Jews and support Jewish and non-Jewish poor..."
The Passover Haggadah
"Let all who are hungry come and eat."
Midrash Psalms Midrash Psalms 118:17
When you are asked in the world to come, “What was your work?” and you answer, “I fed the hungry,” you will be told, “This is the gate of the Lord, enter into it, you who have fed the hungry.”
The Talmud Derech Eretz Zuta 9
“Always be happy when you are sitting at your table and those who are hungry are enjoying your hospitality.”
As Jews, we are told that is is our responsibility to feed the hungry among us. Our mission is based upon the Jewish values of “tikkun olam” which means ”healing the world" and "tzedakah" which means justice.
"Seek the welfare of the city in which you live and pray to the Eternal on its behalf; for in its prosperity you shall prosper." Jeremiah
MAZON operates independently in Canada, primarily in Ontario and Quebec. MAZON U.S. has been around since 1986 and MAZON New Zealand was established in the last year.
Our administrative costs represent 20% of our total receiptable income. We are proud to say that of every dollar donated, and receipted, 80 cents go to alleviating hunger in Canada.
We publish a brochure entitled "Let all who are hungry come and eat." We also publish our newsletter, MAZONews twice year which may be downloaded from our website.