Helping the Community Feed Our Neighbors

Helping the Community Feed Our Neighbors: A Win/Win Mitzvah
by Marilyn Spencer

 Tikkun Olam is a religious concept in Judaism that translates to ‘repairing the world’ and refers to various forms of action, intended to remediate and improve the world.

I recently had an opportunity to experience this form of impact when I represented B’nai Sholom in a grassroots, mutual aid initiative called Albany Street Soldiers. The group organizes programs throughout the Capital District at which they provide food, clothing, toiletries, OTC supplies and other necessities to local families, veterans, homeless, disabled and elderly who do not have the resources to live their lives independently.

The genesis of the Albany Street Soldier concept started in the Capital District by a woman who wanted to do something about the problem of poverty in her community. She independently set up a 4X4 card table and provided free sandwiches and soup to the local needy. Her kindness and generosity blossomed into the Albany Street Soldiers program, which has since formalized and taken off to provide monthly support to residents in the Tri-City area. It is a free, open-door event, offered rain or shine or snow, utilizing the generous donations of community groups and individuals.

B’nai Sholom participates in the Street Soldiers program every other month, made possible through donations from congregants. These funds are used to purchase foods requested specifically through wish lists developed by the lead agency for each group donating.

The monthly event is held every third Friday at Academy Park, which is adjacent to the NYS Capitol in Albany. Upon our arrival at the site, consumers and volunteers met us and assisted in unloading and transporting the many bags of groceries we had brought to the event.

There were at least 25 large tables, stacked with food and other items necessary for survival. The energy during the initial set up from 6-7 PM was palpable! The attitude was upbeat and alive, and those preparing for the crowd were interacting in a friendly and cooperative atmosphere!

Throughout this time, a line of recipients was developing, preparing for a 7 PM “shopping” start-up. I witnessed more than 100 people, of all ages and cultures, eagerly lining up to participate. Those who came through the line were humbled, yet tremendously appreciative of the free products and nonjudgmental support, assistance and compassion they were offered.

By 7:45, all of the tables were practically empty. Many people were helped that evening; however, there were many toward the end of the line who were left with slim pickings. Fortunately, there are a variety of food pantries and other community action programs that can supplement the assistance provided by Albany Street Soldiers.

I left that evening feeling quite ambivalent…my heart was full as a result of being able to help people in need, but at the same time my heart was breaking because we only touched the surface of the problem of food insecurity. And with the rising costs of food, housing, transportation, medicines and supplies, fuel and gas, this problem will only intensify!

If you are seeking a way to channel your energy to help those in need, please consider participating with any of the community action and social justice opportunities at B’nai Sholom! I can guarantee it will be a WIN/WIN mitzvah!!

The generosity of our congregants has continued to enable us to provide fresh food to our neighbors in the Capital District.  You can make a special contribution directly to the synagogue – just be sure to note that it is for fresh food.  You can also donate when you purchase your Hannaford grocery cards by adding a little bit of extra money than the card’s value.  Our next shop will be for three of the Free Food Fridges in Albany.  If you are interested in shopping and feeding our neighbors, please contact Valerie Tabak or Becky Marvin.