Below the fold is a copy of a call for help that was relayed to the membership of Temple Beth El in Aliso Viejo, California. I know the Temple will strain to meet the challenge though it's earlier than usual; we are called upon during the High Holy Days each year to come through to help this food pantry meet its needs until the local churches come through from Thanksgiving to Christmas.
This is a sign of our times: community organizers having to call for help because of the extraordinary combination of unemployment, foreclosures, inflation and general uncertainty. I ask for help from the Daily Kos community; Saddleback Community Outreach is in no way connected to Saddleback Church beyond location.
When my eldest worked for her Bat Mitzvah, one of her projects (she only needed one but the kid's an overachiever...) was a "jelly drive" for Saddleback Community Outreach. Why jelly? If you were making a bag of nonperishable food to donate, you'd probably consider including peanut butter. But how appetizing is peanut butter without jelly, hm? She was able to collect 50 jars and bottles one Saturday morning.
She also collected books for children at her junior high school. In a time of great need when a family needs to go to a food bank to make sure it can eat, some things have to be left behind or have to have low priority. Children need books and my daughter collected over 500 used books.
In a few days, my daughter will enter college. It has been five years since her Bat Mitzvah. Her experience organizing her community project has had three lasting effects:
First, her old junior high school now has a regular collection of children's books for donation.
Second, on her 18th birthday, she registered to vote and, without reservation, she tells her friends how glad she'll be when there is a new President and how excited she is to be able to vote for Obama.
And third, her father is aware of hunger in a way that surprises him. With that in mind, I ask the Daily Kos community to help the Saddleback Community Outreach organization. Please.
Links:
Saddleback Community Outreach: http://www.sco-oc.org/
To donate: http://www.sco-oc.org/...
The email:
September 5, 2008
Dear Friends:
The South Orange County food bank had to close its doors today because it ran out of food. They have asked our congregation to help them deal with this crisis. The complete e-mail we received is printed below. For religious school and Hebrew school families, please bring at least one food item per child on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday. All others please bring items with you the next time you are at Temple. Cash donations can also be made.
Thank you for your support,
Alan Fenning, President
From: Ed Ewart [mailto:ed@sco-oc.org]
Sent: Friday, September 05, 2008 2:11 PM
To: Ed Ewart
Subject: South County Outreach Crisis
If there is any way for your congregation can respond quickly we are in great need. Today at noon the South County Outreach food pantry was forced to do something it had not done in 19 years. The food pantry for people in need was closed before the end of the day because they ran out of food! Amazingly, in spite of the difficult times, total food donations are up 5%. Unfortunately demand on the local volunteer driven food pantry has increased by 20% in the last 8 months. Ken Carpenter the volunteer Director of Client services was quoted as saying "Last year we provided over 33,000 services to people in crisis. At this rate, if we are able, we can expect over 40,000 people in 2008". He continuted "Over the last two months we have jumped from 50 new households served every month to 90 new households. In August 756 households were served. It appears that record could be broken in September if the food is donated to meet the need. Donations may be dropped off at the pantry Monday through Friday between 9:00Am and 3:30 PM and donations may be made on the website at www.sco-oc.org
Ed Ewart
Executive Director ed@sco-oc.org