Posted by Bernice Behar

It was a hot summer day at Family Table a few weeks ago as we undertook our July distribution. Thanks to many of our regular volunteers and many new people (who we hope will become regulars!) we distributed groceries to approximately 270 very appreciative families. Our recipients were especially pleased to receive a bounty of summer produce including fresh peaches, zucchini, spinach, and green beans.

We are truly grateful to the following congregations for providing volunteer drivers to help us make deliveries to nearly 140 families who otherwise would not be able to access food from Family Table: Beth El-Atereth Israel, Congregation Beth Elohim in Acton, Temple Emanuel in Newton, Temple Emeth in Chestnut Hill, and Newton Centre Minyan.

We are beginning our planning for the fall, which will be here before we know it! Our High Holiday distribution will take place on September 18, the week before Rosh Hashanah. Family Table will help our recipient families celebrate the holidays by providing traditional holiday foods like chicken, matzo ball soup, gefilte fish, and, of course, apples and honey.

As always, we count among our blessings the dedication of all our volunteers who assist us in helping those in need.

Bernice Behar is the program manager for Family Table. Prior to joining JF&CS in early 2010, she spent more than twenty years working in the financial industry as an investment manager. In recent years, she undertook several leadership positions at her synagogue, which inspired her commitment to Jewish communal work.