Our work with Craig Diserens and his California-based, Village Harvest, began two years ago but it was not until today that we truly understood the amount of effort and the logistical planning that goes into this backyard gleaning effort that gathers thousands of pounds of luscious fresh fruit and gets it into the hands of local hunger programs where people who might not have the means to purchase costly produce can enjoy the seasonal bounty.

Within a three hour time span about 15 volunteers, led by a volunteer coordinator, gathered at the local food agency and received instructions and maps to nearby homes where they were to pick crate after crate of luscious persimmons. Watching the precision and the coordinated actions of the volunteers was impressive. Everyone seemed to know what to do and how to be helpful. With the agency’s van equipped with all of the tools needed to carry out the mission– ladders, telescoping pickers to reach the highest branches, crates, gloves, rakes and more–about three hours later the results, pictured below, included 900 pounds of fresh, juicy persimmons and a corps of volunteers who had come together to benefit their community.

Day after day we sit at our desk and write checks for our programs — all of whom do outstanding, creative and important work on behalf of people too often forgotten.

But today, as I read a mid-term report on our grant for ATZUM, an Israeli organization founded by the dynamic Rabbi Levi Lauer, I sensed a different, more significant meaning to the funds we were about to disburse. Among the several programs ATZUM sponsors is a tiny effort that provides for the needs of the remaining Righteous Among the Nations, those who risked their own lives during the Shoah to rescue Jews from certain death. At one time there were more than 100 individuals who made Israel their home after the war. Today, 12 elderly men and women, all infirm, live simple modest lives, often alone with no family or friends, and dependent upon National Insurance which provides for their basic needs. For everything else there is ATZUM’s support which comes in the form of volunteers and financial aid for needs not covered by National Insurance which could include housing, medical needs, legal aid and more.

Upon finishing the report I could not help but think about some of the rescuer’s stories and how, with little thought of their own safety and well-being, they helped save the lives of total strangers whose only fault was that they were Jews. It was indeed Holy money for a Holy cause as I wrote the Good People Fund check to cover some of the program’s expenses.

Nothing makes us happier than to see an accurate, moving story of one of our Good People and that is exactly what Abigail Klein Leichman wrote for Israel21C, an online magazine which features interesting stories about Israel in the 21st century. This week’s edition, along with articles describing advances in science, technology, health and more, was a feature story on our own Gideon Ben-Ami and his work feeding hungry people in Tel Aviv and beyond. Read it and be inspired by how Gideon makes all of us at the Good People Fund proud.

http://tinyurl.com/ooj9vye

Mmm …it’s summertime and the fruit around our way is juicy and plentiful. Peaches, nectarines, plums, grapes, melons…. All are abundant and healthy.
Imagine a life without fruit. For most of the kids living in the slums of Mumbai fruit is not part of their diet. For so many, even one simple meal each day is beyond reach. But, for those kids fortunate to be part of Gabriel Project Mumbai, a program started by Jacob Sztokman and dedicated to fighting hunger, child labor, malnutrition and illiteracy for the children living in the slums, hunger is no longer a significant part of their lives.
Now, almost two years since beginning its work, GPM has begun to see the benefits of the kids’ daily meal…attendance at school is up over 50%, kids are more attentive, healthier…it just makes sense.

When Jacob recently came to us with the idea of adding fruit to the kids’ diets we knew the outcome could be only good. After all, isn’t fruit an integral part of all of our diets? Vitamins, minerals, fiber…the benefits are huge. $18,000 will provide 1000 children with daily fruit for one year.
The Good People Fund has agreed to match up to $9,000 to make this program possible. After all, life without an apple or strawberry is no life at all…

We have written many times about Gideon Ben Ami, our friend in Tel Aviv who derives great pleasure from feeding people who are hungry and with so few resources that a nutritious meal is beyond their means.

Gideon’s latest venture involves the abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables grown in Israel and how, with Gideon’s hard work and the generosity of Leket, Israel’s premier food rescue organization, we are now getting this nutritious bounty to people who rarely enjoy tomatoes, eggplant, sweet potatoes, corn, beets, peppers and more.

A true entrepreneur long before the term became fashionable; Gideon always finds creative, economical and meaningful ways to improve others’ lives. This is what seems to fuel his very soul. From feeding breakfast to African refugees in Levinsky Park some years ago, to daily pick-ups from Tel Aviv’s restaurants, bakeries and supermarkets, Gideon seems to be guided by the mitzvah of lechem l’r’eyvim, feeding hungry people.

Between Sunday and Monday this week Gideon picked up and distributed nearly 100 cases of fresh produce along with some “bonuses” like hot pretzels and hamburger rolls. Who benefits? Several homeless shelters, victims of domestic violence, daycare centers for refugee children, and individual families he helps whenever he can.  Do not doubt that he is always thinking of new ideas; know that some of the tomato bounty currently growing throughout the country has been turned over to Gideon’s “soup-making” team who are now cooking huge batches of tomato sauce with lots of fresh basil. The sauce is delivered to several of the aforementioned daycare centers where it tops the pasta lunch originally served with bottled catsup!

The cost to the Good People Fund for this beautiful program? About 300 shekels ($88) for the rental of the trailer that hooks onto his van and the gasoline and insurance to run the van. Gideon estimates that before a year passes we could easily rescue and feed tons of fresh produce to hungry people.

Worth every shekel, for sure.