Right before the holiday began (September 14, 2009 Diary), we wrote about the many people who were going to enjoy a festive celebration because of the funds we were able to provide for supermarket gift cards. We had forgotten to mention one other group that we were able to help in Israel, and when I opened on of this morning’s emails, this picture was a reminder of another group that benefited from our donors’ generosity.

The young girls in this picture are part of the all-volunteer group that works with Darchei Tzion, a small food pantry located in Beit Shean, one of Israel’s poorer communities located in the area of the Jordan Valley. Best known for its amazing archeological sites, Beit Shean is also home to many poor families and individuals who struggle to survive. We met the good people who run this pantry through our friend Yitz Feigenbaum who co-directs Beit Hayeled, the group home for troubled children on nearby Kibbutz Meirav. When we visited Israel last winter we were impressed with the very simple but effective efforts Darchei Tzion makes on behalf of the residents of this city. The fact that the group relies on many volunteers to accomplish their goal of easing hunger, only made their efforts more appealing.

With Yitz’s help, we were able to provide the funds for the purchase of some of the food that went into the packages (actually, lots and lots of schnitzel!) and this picture (along with several others we were sent) shows just what a volunteer-effort this is.

We were honored to be able to be part of their good work!