A Joyful Thanksgiving for our Entire Community

On November 1st, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or food stamps) benefits were cut for 47 million Americans.  The average family of 4 will be receiving an average of $36 less than they had been. The cuts are especially painful in light of the inadequacy of the benefit levels as they were. It is anticipated that at least 500,000 households will have to skip meals.  It is likely that the coming months will hold even more reductions in SNAP benefits for families across the country and in our own towns.

We at Bnai Keshet want the coming holidays to be a joyful time for all families, including the many in our community who rely on SNAP benefits to feed their families enough healthy food each day.  When government assistance programs are cut, families rely even more heavily on local food pantries and those programs are stretched to the limit.  We already know that there are many in our area who need a little extra help to get adequate nutrition and we joyfully serve them meals each Monday night at our MESH dinners and monthly at St. Paul's in Paterson.  But we could be doing a lot more, and it won't take much to make a difference for a family in need right here in Montclair.  

This coming week, we are calling on BK members to stretch themselves a little farther to support our community.  Can you make a commitment to bringing one bag of groceries (see the list of needed items below!) or donating $36 to support a Montclair-based food pantry this week?  If it is within your means to help, let's make this a joyful Thanksgiving for all families.  

Please help by bringing a grocery bag of food to Bnai Keshet during the week of November 16-24.  Drop-off will be in the Red Gables Lobby on Shabbat and in the Main Lobby every other day of the week.  

Please choose items from the following list to bring:
-Boxed/non-perishable cows' milk, soy milk, almond milk, or rice milk
-Low-sodium/no salt canned beans or dry beans
-Low-sodium soups
-Low-sodium/no salt canned tomatoes
-Olive oil
-Peanut butter, almond butter, sunflower butter, or soynut butter (please choose no sugar brands)
-Fruits and veggies including: sweet potatoes, winter squash, apples, carrots, onions, oranges, 
    and fresh greens 

Or click HERE to donate $36 or more to a Montclair-based food pantry.