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Montreal B'nai Brith Food Baskets feeds thousands

Written by Mike Cohen
Wednesday, 24 March 2010

MONTREAL – On the  eve of Passover, volunteers from the Montreal B’nai Brith Food Basket Program are once again rising to the occasion to ensure those less fortunate have an enjoyable holiday just as they do during Rosh Hashanah.

The  B’nai Brith volunteers pack, distribute and deliver more than 4,000 food baskets each year.  

As well, the B’nai Brith program provides assistance to three other organizations, all well known for supporting the poor. The Generations Foundation, which helps feed hungry students, receives yogurt and milk products; the Sun Youth Organization receives kosher chickens twice a year; and the MADA kosher kitchen gets 30 to 50 loaves of bread per week.

“This program has gone beyond a semi-annual process at Passover and Rosh Hashanah,” said veteran David Guttman, a co-chair of the campaign with more than 30 years on the committee. “Requests are up 10 per cent from last year at this time.”

Guttman said that Montreal B’nai Brith Food Baskets Inc. was established in 1947 by the  Maple Leaf Lodge, beginning modestly with about 100 deliveries. More than 60 years later the need for assistance continues to grow.

The committee goes out and purchases all the products that are included in each kosher food basket to ensure uniformity and kashruth.

“We buy thousands of chickens a year, ” he said.

This program is run independently of any funding from all other Jewish organizations in the community. All of the labour and administration is done by B’nai Brith volunteers, alleviating  any  expenses. This year the volunteers were based at a warehouse donated by the  Olymbec Group in suburban St. Laurent.

“We have always turned to the members of B’nai Brith to help fund the program, and also to come out to volunteer,” said  Guttman. “We also encourage the community to donate funds to help finance this project and to volunteer with the packing and delivery of these baskets.”

Those in need of a kosher food basket must apply to one of a number of social agencies such as  the Jewish General Hospital, the Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors, Agence Ometz, the South Shore Jewish Community, Jewish Women International, synagogues and others.

Guttman’s co-chairs are Sheldon Popliger  and  Murray Kozlick.

“I have to thank the many dedicated volunteers who devote their time and energy to the program,”  said Guttman. “They are able to meet the ever-increasing needs of the community and help to ensure that all Jewish families can celebrate Passover this year.”

Money for the campaign is raised from a golf tournament, direct solicitation and donations that are phoned or mailed in to commemorate all life-cycle events.  The 2010  Golf  Tournament will be held at Ilesmere Golf Club in Laval on Thursday, Aug. 12 .     

He’s proud of the fact the campaign recently launched its first web site: www.bnaibrithfoodbaskets.com.  

“We are very excited about this,” he said. “Not only can we better promote what we do, but we can also accept donations online through the safe and secure PayPal system.”