A letter to the congregation, from Melissa Freed:

Did you know that:

• Demand on food pantries has increased about 20 percent since 2008?
• Beverly Bootstraps helped more than 900 families with food needs last year?
• It’s a Jewish tradition to provide for the needy on Purim and Passover?

Here’s how you can help:

As we celebrate the holiday of Purim, and begin to prepare our homes for Passover, please bring in extra non-perishable food items to support Beverly Bootstraps and Jewish Family Service’s Kosher Food Pantry. A box for donations will be placed outside of the Temple office from Sunday, February 28 (Purim) through Sunday, March 21. You can also purchase and donate scrip, which the pantries use to provide perishable items to their clients.

Although all donations are welcome, the pantries specifically request:

• Kosher dairy or vegetarian non-perishable food items (for Jewish Family Service)
• Juice boxes (100 percent juice)
• Individually packaged snacks (including nut- and peanut-free snacks) and granola bars
• Canned vegetables, fruits, beans, soup, and tuna
• Cereal, rice, pasta, and sauce

Please: No expired food items or items in glass containers.

Thank you for supporting this project.

Melissa Freed