Mitzvah of the Month – September

Non-perishable food for High Holy Day Food Drive

Each year, the Social Action Committee coordinates Temple Emanu-El’s collection of non-perishable food and grocery store gift cards to be donated to the
Jewish Family Service Hand Up Food Pantry. Though many congregations hold food drives during the High Holy Days, Temple Emanu-El often collects more that all other congregations combined.

Most needed items this year are canned food, including soups, fruit, vegetables, beans, peanut butter or other nut butters, and high protein items such as canned tuna and canned chicken. Also welcome are pasta, rice, oatmeal, breakfast cereal, cake mixes, and dehydrated mashed potatoes. Please – no glass jars. We should all have food set aside in our homes to be used in case of any emergency or natural disaster. Yom Kippur is a perfect time to donate unexpired cans or packages of food and replace them with fresher items.

Grocery bags will be given our following Rosh Hashanah services, and will be available in the Sanctuary lobby during the holidays. You may bring your donation any time when you come for Yom Kippur services, or drop off food in the lobby of the office building if that is more convenient or if you will be out of town or livestreaming services.

If you prefer, you may bring or mail gift cards from a local store, or donate to the Social Action Fund, and designate the donation for the High Holy Day Food Drive.

We appreciate your support for San Diegans facing food insecurity.