Sol Volen, 88, has been an indefatigable volunteer since his retirement at 71. One of the numerous organizations he serves is the Jewish Relief Agency (JRA), a project of Lubavitch House of Philadelphia, where Volen has been lending a hand for the past 12 years. This Sunday, Aug. 9, they will be delivering non-perishable foods for the High Holidays, marking the organization’s 180th food distribution to more than 3,200 families (nearly 6,000 individuals) in the Greater Philadelphia area.
JRA was founded in 2000 by Rabbi Menachem Schmidt, co-director of Lubavitch House of Philadelphia with his wife, Chava; and Marc Erlbaum, whose brother Daniel Erlbaum serves as board president. It has partner chapters in Chicago; Pittsburgh; Cherry Hill, N.J.; Morristown, N.J.; and will soon launch in Southwestern Connecticut.
“One of the most rewarding outcomes besides helping those with food insecurity is the sense of community that JRA has created among volunteers. Everyone is an eager and needed participant,” says Schmidt, who will be at the warehouse on Sunday. “From families with little kids to Sol, multi-generations from across the entire Jewish community come out to pack and deliver boxes. It’s a very beautiful thing.”
Volen, who has a daughter, Meryl Gerner, has lived for nearly 50 years in the same house in Northeast Philadelphia. His wife, Irma, passed away 15 years ago.
Q: How did you first become involved with JRA?
A: I heard about it and thought they were doing a good thing, a necessary thing. At first, I went on Sundays and made the boxes—putting them together so other volunteers could fill them with food items—and then when everyone had gone out to deliver, I would sweep up the warehouse and leave. I came every month. It was amazing to see all the young kids there.
Now I go on Mondays, where I pick up some of the leftover routes from the day before. I do as many as I can. Last month, I delivered 38 boxes in about four hours.
Q: You mean you and someone else?
A: No, I do it myself. I have a hand truck in the car, so when I go to apartment buildings, I can pile three or four boxes on top of each other. I like to carry the boxes inside to a table, to a convenient place. It makes it easier for them.
It’s also a good way to stay active. I’m not feeble, and I have no plans to slow down.
Q: What are some of the exchanges you’ve had with food-package recipients?
A: Actually, I haven’t had many. A lot of them are Russian and hardly speak English. I say hello, and they thank me. I try to give them a smile, a greeting. People have told me they like my smile.
Q: You have a long history of volunteering. What are some of the other outlets you assist?
A: I started with the Red Cross. When there was a fire—and there were a lot of house fires in Philadelphia—we would get notified at all times of the day, at 2 in the afternoon, at 3 in the morning. We would hand out paperwork after the firefighters left, and give folks vouchers for food and clothing. I also worked at the USO at the Philadelphia airport. There’s a lounge for military personnel, and I would serve food there.
I’m involved with the Jewish War Veterans and go to meetings every month. Also monthly, a bunch of us go to the Delaware Valley Veterans Home and bring sandwiches and drinks, paid for by the Jewish War Vets post. I participated in Volunteers for Israel about 10 years ago, helping out on an army base for three weeks sorting fatigues.
As for hobbies, I collect old U.S. coins and metal charge coins, which department stores used for extending credit before credit cards existed. And I have a Ham radio license. During fundraisers, like walks for cancer and a fall bike-athon for multiple sclerosis, I travel alongside participants with other radio operators in case anyone gets in trouble. We can help physically and offer communication during the whole route, especially in areas that don’t get cell-phone reception. The bike fundraiser, for example, goes 75 miles a day over two days.
Q: You seem to do a lot for veterans. What is your background?
A: I served in the U.S. infantry during World War II, during the latter part of 1944 and into 1947. My three brothers served as well—all of us at the same time. They were sent to Europe; I was in the Philippines. Our parents were both from Ukraine; here in the United States, they ran a candy shop in the neighborhood near Strawberry Mansion, which at the time was almost all Jewish.
As for my career, my father, brother and I bought a bar, where I bar-tended for 22 years. But it was a rough business, and we eventually sold it. Then for years I had a vending-machine route, where I sold them, moved them, repaired them—everything. That branched into a coffee-machine route, placing them in businesses, automobile dealers, factories. And then I retired.
Q: So the upcoming 180th food distribution, it’s a big deal?
A: It’s a big deal. When they started, it was small-scale. Now, so many are involved, and so many get food every month. There are hungry people out there, and it makes you feel good to help them.
I was born in 1926 and grew up during the Depression, when no one had anything. I remember if a Jewish person was traveling through town from one city to another, my mother would put them up in our house until they got on their feet. Now I try and give back, too.
What do I get out of it? It’s gratifying. It’s gratifying to do it. That’s what I tell everyone.
To learn more about the Jewish Relief Agency, visit their website here.
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