The need is great in Eastern Massachusetts

Hello All,

Are you wondering about the need for food for the hungry here in Eastern Massachusetts? Check out the following video from the Greater Boston Food Bank for the latest info.

So we are all set with raisins for this month (our commitment is 40). But we still need 23 more bags of rice.

Please buy a pack to donate when you are doing your Thanksgiving shopping.

Every bit helps.

"A community is too heavy for any one person to carry alone."

I just returned from the annual Site Coordinator Meeting for JF&CS Family Table. It was great to meet other people in the same volunteer role as me. Several ideas that I heard sounded as though they might work at TE. Part of the purpose of the meeting was also to remind us how important our role is in feeding over 500 people each month. We were each given a bookmark with a great quote that relates to this:

"A community is too heavy for any one person to carry alone."

- from Midrash, Deuteronomy Rabbah.

This quote sums up Family Table. It takes a community to make it work.

Reaching for Raisins and Rice

Today I stopped by TE and picked up all the food that was donated since last week. This week we collected 14 packages of Brown Rice and 4 packages of Raisins. This brings us to 49 packages of raisins and 60 packs of brown rice. The October distribution is this Sunday.

We will now start collecting for the November distribution. As you shop for your Thanksgiving meal, please pick up brown rice or raisins for Family Table. Our goal each month is 40 packs of raisins and 70 packs of brown rice.

Every bit helps!

First distribution of new year this Sunday

Hunger continues to be a big issue. See article at http://www.jta.org/news/article/2010/08/30/2740719/jewish-food-banks-serving-younger-more-affluent-clientele for recent impact.

Thank you to everyone who contributed brown rice and raisins this month. Considering the number of people who were on vacation, we collected quite a bit of rice and raisins. With the help of funds from the Social Action Committee, I was able to purchase the remaining units so we could meet our monthly congregational commitment of 70 bags of rice and 40 boxes of raisins. The food is boxed and in my living room waiting to go. On this Sunday, it will go first to JF&CS in Waltham and then be distributed directly to the families in greater Boston that need it.

Starting on Sunday, we will begin collecting for the October 17 distribution. Please remember to drop off brown rice and raisins next time you are in the building.

The bin is conveniently located near the lower level entrance. Donations may also be left in the office. For more information about Family Table go to: www.jfcsboston.org. Click on "Our Programs" and then click on "Basic Needs". Every bit helps.

Surprising Centerpieces

Yesterday after services, I walked into the social hall and in the middle of every table was a bag of brown rices and boxes of raisins as the centerpiece. What a nice surprise! Somebody had the great idea of using the food that we are now collecting as centerpieces which could be donated to Family Table ofter the Kiddush was over. This is so welcome because collecting food in August for the September distribution is a big challenge when so many members of the community are on vacation. This week I will have to find out who planned this so I can thank them.

Brown Rice and Raisins

Today I stopped by TE to put up new signs for Family Table on the bulletin boards as reminders that we are now collecting brown rice and raisins. I was excited to find one box of raisins and one bag of brown rice in the collection bin. A new year of collections is officially underway. All items contributed now will be distributed on Sunday, September 12.

New Foods for 2010-2011

Announcing the foods we will be collecting for 2010-2011:
BROWN RICE and RAISINS.
These foods replace tuna and crackers. This is effective starting in August.

We have been asked to supply drivers to pack and deliver food on two dates:
Sunday, February 13 and Sunday, July 17.
If you are interested in seeing where all the food goes, these are your chances.


This summer we have asked everyone to bring in food based on the first letter of their last name.

If your last name begins with H-P, bring a donation of tuna and crackers in July.

If your last name begins with R-Z, bring a donation of Brown Rice and Raisins in August.

Thanks to all who support Family Table. Every bit helps.