Community Contact Information:
Ohef Sholom Temple
Norfolk, VA
http://www.ohefsholom.org/
Goal:
- Encourage congregation to get involved in local homeless and housing issues through an ongoing hands-on project.
- Provide toiletries to local homeless shelters in need of supplies.
Overview:
Recognizing the needs of the local housing and homeless community, synagogue congregants began assembling “Care Kits” for area shelters. Each month, Religious School students, youth groupers, Brotherhood and Sisterhood members come together to assemble these “Care Kits.”
Preparation:
Materials for these kits – including soap, shampoo, lotion, toothbrushes, razors, etc. are donated by congregants and by the local hospital industry.
Project Implementation:
Supplies are packaged monthly, based on the needs of the recipient agencies. Once packaged, kits are delivered to homeless agencies and shelters throughout the area. When needed, these kits have been distributed to other communities including disaster relief.
Results:
Over the course of this on-going project, over 500 individuals have participated in the packaging and delivery of “Care Kits.” This on-going project helps congregants of all ages get involved in hands-on social action and allows the synagogue to take an active role in addressing local homelessness issues.
