We start the Haggadah with, "Everyone in need should come and eat." At Masbia Soup Kitchen Network, we are able to say this all year round due to the help from supporters who are inspired by what this saying teaches us.
In addition to what we do year round, you are invited to join the Charoset Drive to enable Masbia to address the increased need during this Passover season. And this year, I’m writing to you from a place of URGENCY.
An anonymous donor has offered to match Passover donations made before April 8rd dollar-for-dollar -- up to $108,000!
WE NEED YOUR HELP NOW. Together, we could raise $216,000 towards feeding the needy for Passover this year. Don’t let this opportunity slip away. Help us max out the donor’s offer so that we can provide the most we can.
➤DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT with Passover Grocery Packages
Our grocery packages help working-poor and single-parent households in crisis provide for their families with dignity. Packages for a family of 4 cost approximately $108/family.
TOTAL COST $216,000 for 2,000 families currently in crisis relying on Masbia. This is the bare minimum needed. The more we raise, the more we can distribute to those struggling. Requests for help are in the 4,000 family range.
Every dollar you donate will be matched, up to $108,000. Can you imagine the impact every dollar you donate can make on the lives of these families in need? Click here to donate.
Additional vital needs we need your help meeting this Passover:
➤COVID-19 Emergency Quarantine Packages: Ensure the elderly and poor will have access to food while in a 14-day quarantine. Unlike our regular packages, which serve as supplementary supplies, these packages must include all food needed for the 2 week period. Packages will be kosher-for-Passover and enough to last 14 days. These packages will cost $350/person. Click here to donate.
➤Kosher-for-Passover Meals: Served at our Boro Park location throughout the Holiday. Due to the extra Kashrut oversight and rising costs of Kosher-for-Passover food, the average meal costs $72 (over 1.5 times the cost of a normal Masbia Shabbos meal!) and additional overhead is upwards of $50,000. Click here to donate.
Help us transform this Passover from a bitter struggle to a sweet, enjoyable time for the over 20,000 individuals who rely on our distribution and kitchen.
Need Passover Food?
If you are in need of food for Passover and live in proximity of one of our sites, please click here for information on how to receive food from the Charoset Drive. If you would like to attend a Seder or any of the Passover meals held at Masbia of Boro Park, please follow the reservation procedures used for reserving for Shabbos. Find that information here.
Masbia Passover distributions in the News Since 2013:
Masbia's Emergency Food Response to COVID-19 was featured in a recent NY Times article. In previous years, Masbia Passover Seder was featured on CBS NY, Pix 11, NDT TV, and a broader discussion on the entire the Charoset Drive with Alexander Rapaport on 112BK Show on BRIC TV. In 2017, the Masbia Seder was featured on CBS2, Fox5, JBS News, written up in the Jewish Week, and more. In 2016, NY1 reported live all day from the Masbia kitchen in Flatbush. The Charoset Drive sweepstakes were reported in NY Blueprint and Joy of Kosher. In 2015, JBS News reported on Passover at Masbia. Masbia was also featured in The Queens Ledger, Kveller, and JP Updates. In 2014, News 12 featured volunteers preparing for the Charoset Drive. The Jewish Press wrote about OU sponsoring Passover Food. Masbia was also in the Jewish Daily Forward, JP Updates, and more. In 2013, Cindy Hsu from CBS NY reported live from the Charoset Drive.
About Charoset:
Charoset, (Hebrew: חרוסת [haroset]) is a sweet paste made of fruits, nuts and grape juice (or sweet wine) eaten at the Passover Seder. According to Jewish tradition, its color and texture are meant to recall the mud which the Israelites used to make bricks when they were enslaved in Egypt.
But, lucky for us, charoset is sweet and we eat it during the Seder to counteract the taste of the bitter herbs. Sponsor the sweet ingredients needed to prepare charoset, along with fresh and nutritious Kosher for Passover staples to help ease the bitterness of those in need. With your help, so many people will be able to celebrate Passover without being enslaved by hunger.