vekarata lashabat

General help and food baskets for the needy and youth development activities "Vekarata LeShabbat" - to strengthen love of the Torah and love for all Jews. We are a registered organization functioning in Ofakim (a city in southern Israel) and its suburbs. Our goal is to increase love of Jews and love of the Torah amongst all types of people. We distribute food packages to needy families for Shabbat and holidays. At the beginning of the war, when there was much tension in Ofakim, we distributed hot meals daily to hundreds of people, allowing financial assistance and reducing the burden of shopping and food preparation. We distribute school supplies to needy families at the beginning of the school year. We have periodic distributions of clothing and shoes. We interview or look into each family that requests assistance from us to determine their financial situation and to provide support according to their needs. For the approaching holidays, Vekarata LeShabbat is hoping to distribute special holiday packages to about 150 families/ Each package costs about 180 shekels = about 48 dollars, with an estimated sum of 27,000 shekels = 7,200 dollars. We have an adult learning program – "Kollel Mayim Chaim" – 233 Kadesh Street, Ofakim. The Kollel works in conjunction with a program for local teenagers, students, and soldiers, mentoring them at the age full of important life decisions about their future. Our goal is to provide these young adults with a "second home", where they always feel wanted, and someone is always waiting for them with refreshments and a warm, relaxed atmosphere.