Chabad of Canejo Valley Opens Food Bank

Three volunteers methodically advanced from one table to the next, glancing at shopping lists and filling grocery orders in a large room at Chabad of the Conejo in Agoura on a recent Wednesday.

Within less than an hour, about 60 large paper bags destined for struggling families were filled with requested food items and ready for pickup.

“Anyone living in the Conejo Valley facing hunger should have a place to go for food,” said Rabbi Yisroel Levine, director of development for Chabad of the Conejo, as he watched the volunteers work.

In response to the lingering recession, Chabad recently opened a food bank to help individuals and families with financial diffi culties to put meals on the table.

Before starting the pilot program three weeks ago, the Jewish organization had already provided financial support to help feed about 40 local families. But a continued increase in requests for necessities prompted Chabad’s leadership to tackle the crisis on a larger scale.

“We received so many calls from people that just need basic staples. Unfortunately, with the economic recession, we find that many families don’t even have food on the table,” Levine said.

In keeping with the tradition that Chabad should care for the community at large, the food bank is open to Jews and non- Jews alike. Aside from showing proof of residency in a local city, there are no other requirements for recipients.

“The program is based on trust. If you come to us and say you need food, I’m going to help you regardless of what you’re making. We’re not going to pry,” Levine said.

The rabbi is the sole person handling applications and distributing the food. Volunteers and congregants do not have access to the names of recipients.

“I don’t want anybody to feel embarrassed. We want them to feel comfortable,” Levine said.

To obtain groceries, recipients must complete a weekly food form and return it to Levine. The form includes a list of about 35 food items, such as produce and canned and baked goods.

Forms are due Mondays so volunteers can buy and bag the items for Thursday pickup. Some deliveries are made to the homes of elderly and disabled people.

The program allocates $30 per week for families and $15 for individuals. But expenses for the groceries vary from week to week depending on whether items are on sale, Levine said.

Volunteer Allan Abrams, who was helping to fill grocery orders at Chabad last week, said the program is very well-organized.

“Everything is numbered according to what the individual wants,” he said.

The Agoura resident added that helping at the food bank allows him to perform an act of kindness, known as a mitzvah in the Jewish tradition.

“I feel that there is a particular need at this point in time with the downturn in the economy. Families really need the help, and they feel comfortable coming here,” he said.

Agoura resident Debbie Winderman, who coordinates the program, said it’s important for people to help one another.

“It’s unfortunate that people in this community have lost their jobs and they can’t find jobs. They’re struggling,” she said.

Program contributor Sheila Fenster of Calabasas said the new food bank is a wonderful concept. She said her youngest daughter, Alison, who is involved with charities, and granddaughter, Carly, 8, who recently delivered hot meals to the homeless in L.A., inspired her to support the local program.

Fenster and other congregants at Chabad have been very generous, said Levine, who hopes to work with local supermarkets and the community to continue the program for the long term and make sure that no one goes hungry in the Conejo Valley.

“Chabad serves all the needs of the community, whether they’re educational or spiritual. We want to extend this to everyone. But we’re committed to this program, with help or without help,” he said.