Westside : Passover Donations Sought

A Los Angeles nonprofit organization, the Tomchei Shabbos Fund, is seeking donations to feed needy Jewish families at Passover.

Tomchei Shabbos--Hebrew for supporters of the Sabbath--provides groceries for Sabbath meals to more than 120 local families weekly and is seeking contributions to provide additional supplies for the upcoming holiday.

During Passover, which begins the evening of April 5 and continues through April 13, traditional Jews eat matzo and other foods that must be prepared especially for Passover.

Last year, the group of volunteers supplied 110 families with $50,000 worth of Passover provisions, organizer Rabbi Yonah Landau said.

Tomchei Shabbos anticipates helping more than 135 families this year, Landau said. Each family receives groceries for the entire holiday.

“We give them everything they could possibly need for the whole eight days, from soup to nuts,” warehouse manager Michelle Lerer said.

The group also provides needy children with shoes and clothing and matches unemployed adults with potential employers.

Monetary donations may be sent to the Tomchei Shabbos Fund at 455 N. Detroit St., Los Angeles, CA 90036. Contributions are tax-deductible.

Volunteers to help package groceries or deliver them also are needed.

More information is available by calling Landau (213) 931-0224 or the Tomchei Shabbos message line at (213) 939-5525.