Shavuot Food Drive 2020

The festival of Shavuot, which we will observe on May 28th, occurs at the culmination of the seven weeks of counting of the Omer which began on the second night of Passover. Shavuot celebrates and commemorates multiple ideas and is known by other names, each one representing a different aspect of the holiday. We also call it Chag HaKatzir - the harvest festival, Chag HaBikkurim - the festival of first fruits, and Z’man Matan Torateinu –the time of giving of Torah.

On this holiday of Shavuot, we are reminded that our sages teach us about the mitzvah of harvesting the first fruits. The Israelites were commanded to bring at least one-sixtieth of their crops to the Temple in Jerusalem and donate it to those in need. And, while most of us are no longer farmers, we are still obligated to fulfill the mitzvah of sharing whatever we can.

We urge you to join us in sharing this year.

PJTC will collect donated non-perishable food, household and personal care items on behalf of Foothill Unity Center, a local charitable organization that supports San Gabriel Valley Foothill community members in need. As a result of the Coronavirus outbreak, their food distribution program has increased by 600%. They could use our help!

Our focus will be on the most vitally important items to the food bank recipients who cannot use their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program cards (formerly known as food stamps) to purchase necessities.

Essential Donation Items Requested:

Non-perishable Macaroni & Cheese

Non-perishable Cereals

Toothpaste

Body Wash

Shampoo

(We ask you to please check the expiration date of your donation as Foothill cannot accept expired products.)

Please drop off your donations in bins that are set up outside the main doors at the PJTC campus Sundays - Fridays (no Saturdays) between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM from the 11th to the 22nd of May.

May we always feel commanded to fulfill the mitzvah of helping our neighbors, embodying the values of Torah.