For many families, giving back is a tradition that spans generations. Families like the Horns and the Funks a leading example through their volunteer shifts at Jewish Family Service of Dallas.
The Horn Family’s connection to JFS Dallas began several years ago during a visit to the Food Pantry with Levine Academy. What started as a class trip quickly grew into a meaningful family commitment.
“We came a few years ago with Levine Academy and learned all about the JFS food pantry and were hooked,” the family shared. “We decided that we wanted to try and make an impact by collecting donations and stocking the shelves every year together. It’s something we look forward to doing every year now.”
Since then, the Horn Family has made supporting JFS Dallas a true family tradition. Each year, they return together to volunteer, helping stock pantry shelves and ensure families in our community have access to nutritious food.
For them, this tradition is rooted in perspective and gratitude.
“We want our kids to grow up knowing that we are unbelievably fortunate to be able to have food on the table, but others aren’t as lucky,” they shared. “Being able to help those in need is one of the most important gifts we can give during the holiday season.”
That same spirit of shared service was felt recently when the Funk Family volunteered together, with three generations from grandparents to grandchildren serving side by side. While this was their first year volunteering as a group, the Funk Family has been involved with JFS Dallas for many years and chose to turn their longstanding connection into a hands-on, multi-generational experience.
During their visit, the Funk Family worked together to assemble Bridge Boxes for individuals in immediate need, add handwritten notes of encouragement, and create craft kits for children served across the agency.
For both families, service is about more than what is given. It is about what is passed on.
“We hope our children understand the importance of giving back to the community through both donations and time,” the Horn Family shared. “We want our kids to know that nothing is too small to make a difference in someone’s life.”
Stories like these show that when families come together, giving back becomes more than an act. It becomes a value, a lesson, and a tradition that strengthens our entire community.
At JFS Dallas, we are deeply grateful for families who choose to serve together across generations, helping ensure dignity, nourishment, and hope for those who need it most.
