Every Yom Tov, our community comes alive.
Menus are planned, kitchens fill with the sounds of preparation, and families gather around tables that are full; with food, with warmth, with joy.
It feels so basic. So obvious.
Because what is Yom Tov without groceries, poultry, produce, challos, wine, and everything else that turns days into meals, and meals into memories?
But for 2,700 families in our own community, this Yom Tov doesn’t feel obvious. It feels impossible.
The Rising Cost of Basics
Ask anyone who’s done shopping lately — prices haven’t dropped. Budgets haven’t loosened. What was once considered “the basics” is now beyond reach for so many families who are already stretched to the limit.
For Tomchei Shabbos, that means:
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Over 2,700 families relying on support this Yom Tov. (That means 1000+ more people to feed than last year!)
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Tens of thousands of pounds of produce purchased and distributed.
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Over 20,000 chickens prepared, packed, and delivered.
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Hundreds of thousands of dollars in basic grocery bills that must be covered, every single week.
A bag of potatoes. A chicken. Oil. Eggs.
These aren’t luxuries. They’re not extras. Yet for thousands of families, even these staples have become out of reach.
When Tomchei Steps In
That’s where Tomchei Shabbos comes in. Quietly, efficiently, and without fanfare, Tomchei provides the most essential need of all: the ability to make Yom Tov.
Week after week, Yom Tov after Yom Tov, a volunteer force of hundreds packs and delivers thousands of packages across our community. Behind every box is dignity. Behind every chicken and every bag of produce is Simchas Yom Tov.
Tomchei isn’t about giving extras. (Though we try to give that too:) It’s about making sure that the basics remain basic.
The Responsibility is Basic and it’s Ours
It’s easy to assume that someone else will step in. That an organization as established as Tomchei Shabbos somehow has everything covered.
But the truth is,Tomchei only has what we give it.
The need is real. The scale is enormous. And the timing is urgent.
Tishrei means meal after meal, Shabbos after Shabbos, Yom Tov after Yom Tov. For struggling families, it’s overwhelming. For our community, it’s an opportunity.
Because Yom Tov is more than just food.
It’s peace of mind.
It’s dignity.
It’s children who can sit at a table and feel like everyone else.
It’s parents who can focus on Simchas Yom Tov instead of survival.
When the basics are missing, everything is missing. But when the basics are there, everything else can fall into place.
Make It Basic Again
This Yom Tov, let’s make sure that basics aren’t optional. That the most fundamental part of Yom Tov — the meals we share — is guaranteed for every family in our community.
The need is basic. The responsibility is ours.
Support Tomchei Shabbos. Because Simchas Yom Tov should never be a luxury.
Tomchei Shabbos Fast Facts — Tishrei 5786
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2,700 families will receive Yom Tov packages.
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20,000+ chickens purchased and distributed.
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Tens of thousands of pounds of produce delivered.
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Hundreds of thousands of dollars in basic groceries covered.
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Hundreds of volunteers packing and delivering each week.
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Every single week Tomchei supports families with basics they cannot do without
