Centers provide free services to needy Russian Jews

*Meals-on-wheels. Almost 7,400 needy elderly received more than 1,249,800 cooked meals delivered to their homes.

*"Warm homes." Elderly Jews volunteer to open their homes to groups of needy Jews on an ongoing basis. In addition to providing supplementary nutrition, the family-like atmosphere serves a critical social function in combating feelings of loneliness and estrangement. Nearly 5,800 elderly participated in 385 warm-homes programs.

*Home care. More than 14,600 elderly clients benefited from 1.2 million home-care visits in 213 locations.

*Rehabilitative equipment. Nearly 20,000 pieces of rehabilitative equipment, including canes, walkers and wheelchairs were distributed. Some 70 cities received this equipment directly from a plant established by the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee that produces rehabilitative equipment in St. Petersburg.

*Winter relief. About 29,800 needy elderly received aid such as heating and cooking fuel, blankets and home repairs.

*Medicine. About 74,800 needy elderly benefited from the distribution of medicines from Hesed-based programs. Thousands more made use of programs in various centers that provide legal and medical consultation with volunteer lawyers and doctors.

*Social activities -- Almost 95,000 people participated in social and cultural programs including clubs, Hesed day centers, Shabbat and holiday celebrations, libraries and book exchanges.