The Genesis 123 Foundation donated 200 pounds of baby formula to two churches in Texas following the severe shortage of formula in the country.
Dual American and Israeli citizen Jonathan Feldstein, the president of the foundation, started an initiative to help mothers feed their babies. He was in Israel when he heard about the formula crisis in the US. He decided to bring back to the US as much cans of baby formula he can fit into his luggage. Feldstein brought over $2,200 worth of baby formula and gave them to two major churches in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, reports All Israel News.
I pray that by the time I’d be able to consider another flight the formula shortage in the US will be resolved, and parents can rest easier. —Jonathan Feldstein, president of Genesis 123 Foundation
First Melissa Church in Melissa, TX was one of the recipients of the donation. “In difficult days, people who love God and care about others find ways to help,” said Pastor Trey Graham. “I appreciate Jonathan’s willingness to help, and our church family is blessed to partner with the Genesis 123 Foundation.”
New Beginnings Church not only received the baby formula, Pastor Wanderson and Pabliana Franco forged a partnership with Genesis 123, according to Israel 365 News. “We know that God will bless those who bless Israel and that this project is the perfect example. As we stand in support of Israel, now Israel is blessing us. It makes a huge difference that Jonathan and the Genesis 123 Foundation made this possible.”
Feldstein shared how he was able to bring many baby formula to the US. Rami Levy, one of the largest Israeli retail supermaket chains, heard about the initiative and gave Feldstein a discount on the products. People gave old suitcases and donated money to be able to participate.
“I certainly never intended to make this a fund-raising project, but organically Israelis asked how they could donate,” said Feldstein. “Whether the monetary discount, the actual donations, or just using an old suitcase as a way to deliver nourishment to children in America, I was moved how Israelis with no connections there jumped in to participate.”
Feldstein’s charitable spirit influenced others to help. A friend who was also travelling to the US filled a suitcase with baby formula and flew it to a church in Phoenix. A board member of the foundation made an extra donation and called for the organization to open opportunities for others to make donations as well.
Genesis 123 Foundation is a US-based nonprofit which has a mission of building bridges between Jews and Christians, and Christians with Israel. In a statement, the foundation explained that its name came from the verse in Genesis 12:3, “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Donating the baby formula from Israel to the US was one of the ways Israel can bless families of the world.
“It’s particularly heartwarming that a number of families will have containers of baby formula with Hebrew writing sitting on their kitchen counters, the same letters in which the original verses in Genesis are written,” the foundation said.
Feldstein plans for another batch of baby formula donation, but hopes there’s no need for it in the future. “I pray that by the time I’d be able to consider another flight the formula shortage in the US will be resolved, and parents can rest easier.”
