What an incredible event yesterday at the Interfaith Food Pantry. Eighty volunteers from all participating congregations - Christ Church, TSTI, Beth El and B'nai Jeshrun - as well as students from Pingry and Newark Academy grads joined together for a holiday distribution. Breakfast was served to over 150 needy individuals and families from Orange and East Orange and then the distribution began. Volunteers walked our clients through the holiday bazaar, where they could choose much needed toiletries, gifts and clothing. They also received food,baked goods donated by Supreme Bakery and Panera, and holiday meals (including hams donated by the generousity of a West Orange law firm).

Thanks to all who donated food and other items, to those who transported the donated goods, and to all who worked tirelessly yesterday morning to make our holiday distribution a huge success. What a great way to spend a day of Chanukah - it truly felt like a miracle was happening.

Last week's shocking Star Ledger headline said that nearly half of Americans now live in poverty or are low income. http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/12/nearly_half_americans_either_l.html. To better understand how difficult it is to live on such meager (or no) income, take a look at some of the enlightening articles about a recent challenge the Community FoodBank of NJ and other hunger organizations held. http://www.njfoodbank.org/challenge/challenge-recap-journal. People were asked to eat on the average food stamp allowance, which maxes out at $31.50 a person a week. That Starbucks coffee we all enjoy costs as much as an individual often has to eat on for a whole day. The moral - be grateful for the bounty we all have, remember those who can't feed their families, and help in whatever way you can. Bring one, donate your time, support hunger relief efforts.