High Holy Day Food Drive

FOOD DRIVE

HIGH HOLY DAY FOOD DRIVE 2024

For most of us, our fast at Yom Kippur concludes after 24 hours. We tolerate rumbling stomachs and mild headaches with the anticipation of our break-the-fast meal. Others in our community experience hunger on a chronic basis, not knowing when or what their next meal might be. Children may be irritable and find it difficult to learn in school; their parents may have to choose between securing food and paying for utilities, housing or medications.

How can we help?

Donations to Temple Beth-El’s High Holy Day Food Drive provide food and other needed items to16 partner organizations serving families living in poverty. As always the need is great. Grocery bags will be provided at Rosh Hashanah to be filled with donations of:

FOOD (tuna, peanut butter, rice, beans, pasta, pasta sauce, canned fruits and vegetables, cereal, individually-packaged snacks and breakfast foods, Kosher foods)

DIAPERS (sizes 2-6) and baby wipes

CLEANING SUPPLIES (paper towels, dishwashing liquid, cleaning solutions)

PERSONAL HYGIENE ITEMS (bar soaps, shampoo, toothpaste, sanitary napkins)

Bins will be placed in the foyer during the High Holy Days for donations from those who attend services remotely.

The bags and bins filled with donations will be collected by volunteers* on Yom Kippur and sorted by volunteers* on October 1. Finally, donations will be picked up by recipient agencies for distribution to our neighbors in need.

Cash donations are also appreciated. They enable our partners to provide for urgent needs of their clients.  Please click here to donate or send a check to Temple Beth-El with the notation “Food Drive” in the memo line.

We hope that everyone in our congregation will participate in this year’s Food Drive! In addition to your donations of food and/or cash, please give an hour or two of your time to help sort donations from 10 a.m. to Noon on Sunday, October 1.

*Volunteers are essential to Temple Beth-El’s Social Justice Initiative (SJI). For more information on how you can engage in mitzvot like this — and translate Jewish values into meaningful action — please contact SJI co-chairs Amy Gaddes and Celia Harms.