Family Promise
This is a nationwide organization that provides services to low-income families so that they may become financially stable again. As the name of the program implies, this program is geared toward families that have fallen on hard times. A coalition of local churches and synagogues have joined together to help these families find work and supply them with food and shelter. Each host and support group will house families for one week, three times a year. CBY and All Saints Episcopal Church are working together to share the responsibilities for the weeks assigned to us. The families will be housed at the church. Please call the synagogue office (843-689-2178) or e-mail us at info@bethyam.org to find out the name and phone number of the Family Promise contacts. To see a list of items needed and ways to help, click here.
Hunger and Homeless Coalition Task Force
Become involved by volunteering to help on projects that will help the children and the homeless on Hilton Head Island by working on one of our committees in our Task Force program. The program will be supported by groups of churches and organizations throughout the island. Under the leadership of Vicki Hunnnings of the First Presbyterian Church, this committee is looking into the feasibility of a shelter on Hilton Head Island. If you have an interest in working in this area contact Vicki at islanderv@aol.com.
Back Pack Program
The Back Pack program, chaired by Janet Weingarten of Congregation Beth Yam, has chosen to work with the Low Country Food Bank, an organization that is part of Feeding America. This program will help feed children from the elementary schools on the island who otherwise would go hungry on the week-ends. Back packs will be filled withnutritional food obtained from the food bank and will be distributed to the selected children each Friday. Help is needed to fill the packs with food, help distribute the food, and/or work on committees to help promote the program. For information about volunteering, contact Janet Weingarten.
POP TOPS
Last year we collected over 18,000 tops, we are hoping to reach 20,000 this year. There are collection houses available at the synagogue or use zip lock bags. The Ronald McDonald house sent a very appreciative thank you note and said this was the largest donation by a religious organization. Keep up the good work. Remember we collect the tops on Mitzvah Day.
High Holy Day Food Collection
It has been our tradition to collect food for Deep Well and Bluffton Self Help during the days between Rosh Hashonah and Yom Kippur. Grocery bags will be handed out with lists of what is needed. We ask that these bags be returned to the synagogue and Deep Well and Bluffton Self Help will pick them up. For a list of what to donate, click here.
Reading at the Children's Center
Throughout the year our reading volunteers go into the classrooms at the center and read to the children. We always need additional people especially in the Bluffton center. If you are interested in this project contact Myron Meister through the synagogue office.
Blessing of the Animals
This Havdallah service is a very popular program. The Rabbi conducts a short service. We bring our pets, have a pet parade and refreshments. The Hilton Head Animal shelter brings pets availble for adoption and we ask that each family bring supplies that the shelter needs. This event is usually videotaped and tapes are available for a donation to the shelter.
To read the Island Packet article on CBY's Hunger and Homelessness Panel, click here
To see Judie Aronson's article for the URJ Social Action Newsletter, click here
