Stepping in, in Time for the New Year

Israeli First Responders & Air Force Officers Pitch in to fill Yad Eliezer’s Need for Food Packers

by Karen Reiffman

0 Comments | Thursday, September 10, 2020 under Volunteering, Food Boxes, Holiday Fund

Can you believe we’re just a few days away from the Yamim Noraim? I can’t. These past few months, with all the COVID-craziness that started right after Purim, have been so chaotic. I know I’m not alone in this thinking. Just yesterday I read a meme that’s going around: “I’m pretty sure there’s a tear in the space-time continuum, because it’s almost Rosh Hashana and Pesach was just a few years ago and also last week”.
Regardless of how it feels, though, the New Year, for all intents and purposes, is here. And that means that thousands of poor Israeli families are grasping for a way to feed their families over yom tov. The turmoil over these months since Pesach has shot the number of needy families up, higher than it’s been in years. So many parents are still out of work and for those whose families were already at risk, the loss of even minimum wage incomes has dramatically worsened their situations.

Requests for food have increased significantly

At Yad Eliezer, we’ve seen a substantial increase in requests for food aid, specifically because of the pandemic and its terrible side effects. And we’ve been packing food boxes to try and keep up with demand. But another side effect of this crisis is that though people are, thankfully, still joining us to help with this essential task, there have been less than usual (tourist families are non-existent, some seminaries and yeshivot have restrictions that currently prevent them from visiting us, etc.).

Volunteer food box packers make a big difference

That doesn’t change the fact that our food boxes still need to be packed in order to be delivered to hungry homes. So when members of the Israeli Air Force & Israel’s Fire & Rescue Authority and officers from the Israel Police department (Ramot) came to our warehouse to volunteer their time, it was greatly appreciated. Their help was invaluable as they efficiently assembled, packed and sealed hundreds of boxes in a super short amount of time. These first responders already do so much for the Israeli public, so when they volunteered during their free time to further help Israeli citizens it really made an impact.

We can use your help

As a major Israeli charity that provides relief for the needy on many levels, Yad Eliezer is always incredibly grateful for all the volunteer support we receive; it’s what helps us get the job done, while enabling us to keep our overhead so low.

You don’t have to be an “official” first responder to help families in need. You can bring them critical aid just by spending a couple of fun hours with us. We’d love to welcome you at our warehouse! And of course, holiday donations for needy families and struggling IDF soldiers through food coupons will also make a meaningful difference, helping them start the year off on a positive note.