Miriam Avraham and Beth Steinberg are Jerusalem Moms, each with a special needs child. When faced with limited opportunities to provide their kids with meaningful summer and after-school activities they decided it was time to do something about it. Refusing to just bemoan the lack of quality programs, they set about to start their own. What began in 2007 as a summer program with 10 children, has grown today to Shutaf, a well-run quality organization that provides summer camp, after-school activities and holiday camp experiences for both special needs and typical kids. This inclusive program follows a model that encourages diversity and welcomes children with and without disabilities from across the religious and economic spectrum.

We first visited Shutaf on a warm afternoon during our Israel trip this past February. Set in Jerusalem’s beautiful Nature Museum, Shutaf’s programs were literally buzzing with activity. Each group is composed of both special needs and typical children of different ages with a range of disabilities. As we walked the halls we noticed one group intently watching a snake handler sharing the mysteries of snakes, while another group nearby was working on an arts and crafts project. In all of the noise and activity stood Deb, Shutaf’s amazing program director, totally unfazed by the din and activity.

Have Miriam and Beth hit upon a real need in their community? You bet. In the few years since they began, they now have a waiting list of families anxious to enroll their kids in Shutaf programs.

It did not take us long to decide that Good People Fund tzedakah could be wisely invested in scholarships for potential campers. In addition, a generous donor came forward and underwrote an amazing Purim party which all the kids enjoyed.

We were excited to hear of the completion today of AmpleHarvest.org’s free app that allows anyone with the new Android phone to access AmpleHarvest.org’s database to find nearby food pantries or soup kitchens where they can donate any excess produce from their home gardens. This app, along with an earlier version suitable for the iphone was underwritten by a grant from the Good People Fund.

Gary Oppenheimer, AmpleHarvest.org’s founder told us exactly how it works:

Using either the built in GPS or a user entered zip code, the app displays a Google map highlighting all of the AmpleHarvest.org registered food pantries in the area. Once a pantry is selected, it then displays detailed data including the contact and address information, days/times that the pantry can accept donations, as well as information about items the pantry most urgently needs. It can also connect the user with the pantry web site if one exists. Lastly, it also provides donors a convenient way to inform AmpleHarvest.org about the items or produce donated, should they wish to.

For most of us the planting season is about to get underway. It costs so little to plant a bit more–think of how many hungry people might benefit from your green thumb!

Shortly after we told Randi that we had made the car payments (see Diary April 12) she shared the following note from Susan, along with a picture of her family:

Randi and Angels,

Sometimes, we are truly amazed at how much good we can facilitate in the early morning hours. By 7am today we were involved in an exchange with Randi Cairns, founder of Home Front Hearts.

I cannot express how you truly make the Passover meal possible to my immediate family…we thank you so much, especially this year which is so financially burdensome for us. You are more than Good People-you are Great People!

While many of us will be trapped in our kitchens on Monday, April 18, Marvin Wolfert, a fan of our work from Foxboro, Massachusetts will be gearing up for the run of his life. Having qualified for the Boston Marathon, Marvin decided to inject some tzedakah into his grueling effort and has asked friends and family to donate to the Good People Fund in his honor.