We had a true calamity last week; our freezer’s compressor broke and we lost all the food. The repairs cost $2800.00 and about $3000.00 in food went bad. We will get some of the money back from an insurance claim, but that is not what makes this a calamity.
According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, calamity is defined as “an event which causes great harm or suffering”. Our losing $3000.00 of food may have caused harm to our budget, but actually caused great suffering to all the people we could have fed in our community whom are hungry. Most of our members know we feed the homeless every Tuesday night in association with MESH (Montclair Emergency Services for the Homeless). What most members do not see, is the number of times someone wanders into our synagogue looking for food. If it is a day Toni’s Kitchen is open, we send them there and also tell them about MESH. If it is a day (or time) Toni’s Kitchen is not open, we look for food we can give them from our kitchen.
I think about all the hungry people in our community Shomrei could have fed, just by opening the freezer. I think about all the people Toni’s Kitchen and other such charitable organizations in Essex county, could have assisted if we just cleaned out our freezer. I think about one of our elderly members, who can not always shop due to illness, and this food would help her eat rather than having to ask neighbors to bring her food.
No one person is responsible for maintaining the kitchen. We all use it so all are responsible. I have been in other organizations where the kitchen, and especially the refrigerator, is under lock and key. We have an open policy since many different groups need access at one time or another.
Our freezer contained about 400 meals. The refrigerator and freezer should not be used for leftovers, unless you have a plan to use it yourself. Food we need to throw away, may have helped feed someone who right now is hungry; you just may not know it.
- What are you doing for Shabbat? - Thu, Feb 15, 2024
- MESH Report January 23, 2024 - Thu, Jan 25, 2024
- MESH Report October 24 2023 - Thu, Oct 26, 2023