Temple Tikvah Volunteers Bring Food to the Home-bound

Several volunteers came into Jamaica on the morning of Christmas Eve to deliver meals to home-bound people.

The floor of the First United Methodist Church in Jamaica where was creating its packages of food and ornaments for its clients was filled with white bags that had drawings from local school children at 9:30 a.m. By about 10:30 a.m., many of those bags were in cars driven by volunteers who were taking them to 3,000 people in the five boroughs who cannot get out to get their own food.

"We deliver a service that is keeping people alive," explained God's Love We Deliver staff member Karen Bdera.

The organization delivers 10 meals a week to its over 1,800 clients. Bdera noted that they deliver about 3,800 meals a day. God's Love We Deliver focuses on nutrition and there is an intake process with a nutritionist for its clients so that food is tailored to their dietary and medical needs, Bdera said.

On Christmas Eve, these food packages included a "blizzard box" which contained food in case of a snow storm; meals for the clients, their families and caregivers; and ornaments. There were also packages of presents for families who were receiving food who have children.

"This is the least I can do," said Helene Schonhaut, a Temple Tikvah member, who has been delivering meals with this group for more than five years. "I wish I had the time, money and ability to do more."

Marty Schusterman, also a Temple Tikvah member, has been delivering meals for about four years.

"[I do this] to help those less fortunate than myself," he explained. Schusterman takes these meals with his two children, who are 15 and 17-years-old. He added that he likes teaching his children to serve others.

Temple Tikvah became involved in this food drive before the Temple had that name as a result of the merger between Temple Israel and Temple Emmanuel. Marcie Kesner, a volunteer and member of Temple Tikvah, said Temple Israel has been part of this drive for about 20 years. Kesner organizes the group from Temple Tikvah, which this year included 10 cars of people.

"The people from Temple Tikvah are great supporters," Bdera said.

Carol Alexander, a volunteer from Elmhurst, noted that this experience is "very rewarding" and that, "people are very happy to see you. Sometimes they have no one who comes to see them."