HUNGRY CHILDREN FUND

In 2002 during my visit home, I came across a newspaper headline concerning children going to school hungry. I was very upset and hurt to read that in today's day and age there are so many children in need of food. I returned to Windsor and spoke to the members of Congregation Shaar Hashomayim about raising funds to feed these children.

Through donations to the Charity Fund, we are providing daily meals for over 100 children. There are also over 30 children that receive a hot meal at the local soup kitchen through our donations. Even today the number of hungry children is growing. The Windsor Community's great response and generosity allows this chesed project to continue. Your continued support will be greatly appreciated by these children.

Betzalel Folk

VISIT TO CHATZOR HAGLILIT

During our recent trip to Israel, we took a trip to Chatzor to see the school, to which we have been sending money for a food program for needy children. The principal and the teachers that work with these children met us graciously. They emphasized how grateful they and the kids were for the donations from Windsor, Ont. They told us of the difficult economic struggle of the citizens of the town, and stressed that for some of the kids, this was their only meal of the day.

After this discussion, we went to the new library and met with the directors of the food program and the Mayor of the town. He brought us greetings from the city and thanked Windsor again for its support. He told us that he had just, the day before, had a meeting with government officials that had promised to give money for half of the cost of the children up to grade 6. We were happy to hear this news, as it frees up some of the money for the older children.

We also met some of the students that help out with this program as part of their public service. They have encouraged some of the kids to stay late and do their homework there. While there, they receive a hot meal and do not have to hide in shame from their friends.

There was a new soup kitchen created, and it has an entrance from the street. This way, some of the kids pretend to leave school, and then double back to go into the soup kitchen to eat a hot meal. This soup kitchen also provides food for the needy of the town, but we do not underwrite any of that cost.

The mayor promised to pay half of the cost of this extra hot meal for the kids. There are about 100 kids that are getting a sandwich, fruit and a drink at 10:00 a.m. The hot meal in the afternoon is for approx. 30 children. The cost for this extra meal is about $1.60 Cdn. The reason that this is so cheap is because the meal is being prepared anyway for the general public so we are paying only for the cost of the food, not the labour.

We toured the facility and we were so impressed by the entire school and its staff. The security guard was so kind as to invite us to her home for lunch.

We would like to thank everyone that has supported this great project and we look forward to your continued support. There is no greater Mitzvah than to feed a hungry child.

Karen and Betzalel Folk

THE CHILDREN ARE HUNGRY IN CHATZOR HAGLILIT, ISRAEL

The new school year is about to start, and we are once again appealing to you, our supporters, to step forward and provide funds for meals in our adopted school. There are over 100 children that benefit from this program. There are also hot dinners provided for approximately 30 children.

We are currently short almost $14,000.00 from last year's total. Please feel free to donate any amount to help us reach our goal. The donations are needed before the end of August. SEND YOUR CHECK TO THE CHILDREN'S FUND AT SHAAR HASHOMAYIM CHARITY FUND.

I thank you all on the childrens' behalf.

Betzalel

DONATION CARDS AVAILABLE AT THE SHAAR HASOMAYIM SYNAGOGUE